This study considers the instabilities that result when an electron beam is injected into a plasma. A number of different models of the system are considered, and all instabilities are classified according to whether they are convective instabilities (amplifying waves) or nonconvective (absolute) instabilities. The study also analyzes the instabilities in unbounded beam-plasma systems and in systems of finite extent transverse to the electron stream and gives a detailed consideration of the possibility of a strong interaction with the ions in a hot-electron plasma. In addition, the author presents mathematical criteria for identifying absolute instabilities and amplifying waves. These criteria are based only on an analysis of the dispersion equation of the system and are not restricted to beam-plasma systems.Two things need to be said about this book: the chapter on absolute and convective instabilities makes an important contribution to the field. Second, it should be pointed out that the theoretical results are reduced to a form which make them readily available to an experimentalist. Plasma physicists and electronic engineers will be interested in this work.

An experiment was constructed for the study of waves excited in a plasma by an electron stream. A PIG source generates a hydrogen plasma of density up to 10 to the 13th power/cc and 30 eV electron temperature, confined by a 500 gauss field. A 40-milliampere, 1000-volt electron beam is pulsed into the plasma. Coherent, growing waves are excited at frequencies typically near 500 mc when the plasma frequency is 1800 mc and the cyclotron frequency 900 mc. The wave grows in both space and time until reaching a limiting amplitude, after which it decays; this entire process repeats at about a 40 mc repetition rate at a power level of several watts. Diagnostic equipment includes a 3000 mc oscilloscope, a spectrum analyzer, and various probes. If the dispersion equation governing the waves is solved for the finite geometry of the experiment, it becomes apparent that the growth occurs because of the interaction between the slow plasma wave on the electron beam and the electron cyclotron wave in the plasma. (Author).

This book contains information on scientific research and applications of a very diverse field of low temperature plasma physics – the interaction of electron beams with plasma and, as a consequence of this interaction, a beam plasma discharge. It contains detailed descriptions of the history of the relevant research, a review of experimental research of properties of the low-temperature plasma with an electron beam and beam plasma discharge, and presents the main results of beam plasma interaction theory. Most of the book is devoted to descriptions of applications of the plasma with a beam and beam plasma discharge in a variety of fields; from studies of the physics of near-Earth space using active geophysical experiments to the development of materials technologies for micro- and nanoelectronics and designs of plasma-filled electronic devices. This book will be useful as an introduction to this field for undergraduate and graduate students specializing in plasma physics, as well as for other specialists in various fields of physics and technologies.

This book contains the lectures presented at the International Workshop on Relation between Laboratory and Space Plasmas held at Gakushi-Kaikan (University Alumni Association) Kanda in Tokyo, Japan on 14 - 15 April, 1980. Its aim was to bring together laboratory, fusion and space plasma physicists and to highlight the communality of basic plasma phenomena, similarities and differences observed in the laboratory and in space, thus exchanging information tnd views on new ideas to link both areas. Although similar type of conferences were held in Europe and recently in the States, this is the first time we have had in Japan for such an international meeting, which may be regarded as an extended version of our national Workshop held twice at the Institute of Plasma Physics of Japan (IPPJ) in 1976 and in 1977 (IPPJ Research Report No. 286 and No. 365). The Workshop consisted of seven regular sessions and one special session with approximately ninety participants from allover the world. Thirty-six papers, invited and contributed, were presented, nine from U. S. A., three from U. S. S. R., two of each from Germany, France, India, one of each from Sweden, Canada, Belgium and fifteen from Japan. The topics covered were: (1) The Critical Velocity (2) Beam Plasma Discharges and Interactions (3) Double Layers and Shocks (4) Instabilities in the Equatorial and Auroral Electrojets (5) Turbulent and Anomalous Plasmas (6) Plasma Irregularities (7) Solar Plasma Phenomena (8) Active Experiments in Space Plasmas and Their Simulation in the Laboratory.

Plasma and Current Instabilities in Semiconductors details the main ideas in the physics of plasma and current instabilities in semiconductors. The title first covers plasma in semiconductors, and then proceeds to tackling waves in plasma. Next, the selection details wave instabilities in plasma and drift instabilities. The text also discusses hot electrons, along with the instabilities due to inter-valley electron transfer. The next chapters talks about avalanche and recombination instabilities. The last chapter deals with plasma streams. The book will be of great use to student and professional electronics engineers and technicians.