Relativistic theory of mode conversion at plasma frequency -- the finite difference time domain simulation (Q546923)

Equations governing mode conversion between an electromagnetic wave and a plasma wave are derived. The fluid equations serve as a starting point in the nonrelativistic case, while the Vlasov equation is taken as a point of departure in the relativistic case. Using FDTD simulations, it is shown that the conversion efficiency is similar in both cases. In addition, it is shown that in the nonrelativistic case the conversion efficiency increases as the temperature increases, while it saturates in the relativistic case.