Resonant interaction between gravitational waves, electromagnetic waves, and plasma flows

Martin Servin and Gert Brodin
Phys. Rev. D 68, 044017 – Published 22 August 2003
PDFExport Citation

Abstract

In magnetized plasmas gravitational and electromagnetic waves may interact coherently and exchange energy between themselves and with plasma flows. We derive the wave interaction equations for these processes in the case of waves propagating perpendicular or parallel to the plasma background magnetic field. In the latter case, the electromagnetic waves are taken to be circularly polarized waves of arbitrary amplitude. We allow for a background drift flow of the plasma components which increases the number of possible evolution scenarios. The interaction equations are solved analytically, and the characteristic time scales for conversion between gravitational and electromagnetic waves are found. In particular, it is shown that in the presence of a drift flow there are explosive instabilities resulting in the generation of gravitational and electromagnetic waves. Conversely, we show that energetic waves can interact to accelerate particles and thereby produce a drift flow. The relevance of these results for astrophysical and cosmological plasmas is discussed.

  • Received 11 February 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.68.044017

©2003 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Martin Servin and Gert Brodin

  • Department of Physics, Umeå University, S-901 87 Umeå, Sweden

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 68, Iss. 4 — 15 August 2003

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review D

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×