Anomalous plasma heating induced by a very strong high-frequency electric field

Simulation calculations and theory which show that a very strong electric field with a frequency near the plasma frequency parametrically excites electrostatic turbulence are presented. The plasma is strongly heated with the electrons receiving most of the energy. A simple electron trapping theory accounts for the saturation electric field. After the plasma becomes turbulent, the real part of the frequency of the ion mode is drastically changed from the linear value.