On the ‘non-stationary’ ponderomotive force of a HF field in a plasma

Abstract

A general expression is obtained for the ponderomotive force of a HF field in a plasma. This expression is valid for both transverse and longitudinal HF fields. The conditions are discussed under which the ponderomotive force contains a term proportional to the time derivative of the HF field amplitude. This part of the ponderomotive force is termed ‘non-stationary’ ponderomotive force.