EFFECT OF THE PONDEROMOTIVE FORCE ON A PLASMA WITH FLOW.

The effect of the ponderomotive force on a plasma with flow is studied by controlling the velocity. The density of the plasma with flow velocity slower/faster than the ion acoustic velocity respectively decreases/increases by the ponderomotive force of the high frequency field. The density change is proportional to the square of the high frequency electric field intensity. The experimental results are compared with the theoretical ones calculated from the continuity and momentum equations, including a term of the ponderomotive force.