Abstract. An investigation has been made of electromagnetic wave penetration in a plasma confined by electrostatic and magnetic fields in the presence of a transition layer. This layer in which the electric currents confining and plasma flow and the plasma density, electric and magnetic fields vary, has a thickness of the order of several electron Larmor radii. The integro-differential equation determining the electric field behaviour of the incident electromagnetic wave is obtained. For frequencies much lower than the electron cyclotron frequency the anomalous skin effect takes place. In this case the wave field and the radiant reflectivity are as though the plasma were homogeneous with a sharp boundary and the condition of specular reflection of electrons from the boundary were satisfied. The question of RF heating of the plasma under the conditions of the anomalous skin effect in the Lavrentiev trap and the corresponding thermal radiation from the plasma is discussed.

Print publication: Issue 6 (June 1979)