Nonlinear excitation of acoustic modes by large-amplitude Alfv\'{e}n waves in a laboratory plasma
S. Dorfman and T. A. Carter
Accepted
The nonlinear three-wave interaction process at the heart of the parametric decay process is studied by launching counter-propagating Alfvén waves from antennas placed at either end of the Large Plasma Device (LAPD). A resonance in the beat wave response produced by the two launched Alfvén waves is observed and is identified as a damped ion acoustic mode based on the measured dispersion relation. Other properties of the interaction including the spatial profile of the beat mode and response amplitude are also consistent with theoretical predictions for a three-wave interaction driven by a non-linear pondermotive force.