Effects of plasma-density inhomogeneity and collisions and their relation to maintenance of waveguide discharges by Trivelpiece-Gould modes: I. Resonance absorption

This study aims to contribute to the analysis of the mechanisms of wave-energy absorption and electron heating in waveguide discharges sustained by propagating Trivelpiece-Gould modes. The discussion is based on a derivation of the dispersion law and the wavefield distribution in cylindrical waveguides with magnetized collisional plasmas with a diffuse boundary. Through resonance absorption associated with the transformation of Trivelpiece-Gould modes into upper hybrid volume waves, the plasma-density radial inhomogeneity affects the wave behaviour. The conditions of the existence of resonance absorption are analysed and its role in the maintenance of wave-produced gas discharges in external magnetic fields is discussed.