Low-frequency wave excitation by weak nonlinear interaction of two high-frequency pump waves: part I-theory

This paper presents a theoretical study of the characteristics of the LF wave excited in a plasma column by the weak nonlinear interaction of two HF pump waves. With respect to previous papers, one takes into account the magnetized and hot characteristics of the plasma, axial propagation of the waves, and axial drift velocities of the plasma species. The final result is an analytical expression of the excited LF field. This expression not only exhibits known features but also allows calculation of curves giving the LF field amplitude. These features and curves will be compared to the experimental ones in the next paper.