Plasma: Wave and Phase difference

[erogard]

Hi,

I need someone to rephrase the question or tell me what it is actually asking for because I am not sure I understand it clearly:

Consider a plasma slab of width L. k_0 is the wave number in a vacuum, and k in the wave number in the plasma, where k satisfies the dispersion relation:
$$\frac{ck}{\omega} = \left( 1-\frac{\omega^2_{pe}}{\omega^2}\right)^{1/2}$$
where c is speed of light, ω the wave frequency and ω_pe the electron plasma frequency.

Question: Determine the phase of the wave at x=L when n=n_e0 = constant, relative to the phase of the wave traveling the same distance L in a vacuum.

Should I start with 2 plane waves, one in vacuum and one traveling through the plasma, where I would assume that the second has a phase phi and determine the latter?

Any clarification would be much appreciated.

 

[mark726]

Hi there,

Based on the information provided, it seems like the question is asking you to consider a plasma slab with a given width and to determine the phase of a wave at a specific location within the slab. The wave is described by a dispersion relation and you are given the speed of light, wave frequency, and electron plasma frequency.

To answer the question, you can start by considering two plane waves, one traveling through the vacuum and one traveling through the plasma. The second wave will have a phase phi, which you can determine using the given information and the dispersion relation. Once you have the phase of the second wave, you can compare it to the phase of the first wave traveling the same distance in vacuum to determine the phase difference at the specific location within the plasma slab.

I hope this helps clarify the question for you. Let me know if you need any further assistance.