A New Cyclotron Radiation Mechanism in Astrophysics, Space and the Laboratory

POSTER

Abstract

From the study of the radio and X-ray emission from stars, we discovered a new radiation emission mechanism produced by energetic electrons entering a region of increasing magnetic field. This cyclotron maser process was found to be extremely efficient at converting electron energy into radio frequency emission. When a beam of electrons enters a region of increasing magnetic field strength, conservation of magnetic moment leads to the electron beam forming a crescent or horse-shoe shaped distribution in velocity space. Such a distribution is unstable and leads to the generation of cyclotron maser type radiation.

Authors

  • Barry Kellett

    • Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

  • Robert Bingham

    • Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
    • Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK
    • Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Chilton, Didcot, United Kingdom

  • Kevin Ronald

    • University of Strathclyde

  • David C. Speirs

  • Alan D.R. Phelps

  • Adrian Cross

    • University of Strathclyde

  • Irene Vorgul

    • St Andrews

  • R.A. Cairns

    • University of St. Andrews
    • St Andrews
    • St. Andrews University

  • C.G. Whyte

  • Craig Robertson

    • University of Strathclyde

  • J. Tonge

    • University of California