Generation and radiation of third harmonics by an electrostatic wave in a narrow inhomogeneous layer of a warm plasma

Abstract

An investigation is made of wave generation and the radiation of third harmonics by an electrostatic wave in a narrow inhomogeneous layer of a warm plasma. The amplitudes of the third-harmonic wave are calculated. It is found that they depend both on the nonlinear interaction of the initial waves and on the interaction of second harmonics with the initial wave. The generation of third harmonics by interaction of the initial waves is a four-wave process, i.e. a higher-order nonlinearity.