| A system that describes the interaction of an electron beam, plasma waves, and electromagnetic waves in a cold plasma is presented and studied. A multiwave model is developed that allows for efficient computational and analytical study. The model is based on the slow amplitude and phase change approximations. Using a Lagrangian approach, the continuous system of electron beam, background plasma, and waves is reduced to a finite degree-of-freedom system. This model, describes an efficient energy transfer mechanism between electromagnetic waves and the plasma wave, via the particles trapped in the plasma wave. It is suggested that this energy transfer be used in plasma-based accelerators to further increase the energy of the accelerated particles. Numerical and analytical studies of this mechanism are performed and an experimental test is proposed. |
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