Particle-in-cell Simulations of Raman Forward Scattering Instability in Low-density Plasmas: A Computational Study

Abstract

Electro magnetic-wave propagation through equilibriu m p lasmas can lead to med iu m instabilities whose formation and growth conditions are of importance to study. Raman forward scattering (RFS) instability in low-density plasma s is investigated through particle-in-cell (PIC) simu lation, which is employed due to plasmas' high complexity, costly experiment process, and nonlinear behavior in physical terms. A 2D electro magnetic PIC code is used to model RFS instability. Do ing so, a plasma mediu m containing ions and electrons is PIC simulated and ions are assumed to form a constant background because of high inertia. The results indicate that as a plane electro magnetic wave enters the plasma med iu m, large -amp litude longitudinal waves, whose growth rate is well consistent with the theoretical results, begin to grow, suggesting the appearance of RFS instability.