Abstract
We study the interaction between two primary waves and their corresponding nonresonant beatwave. The beatwave is assumed to interact strongly with the plasma particles, thus causing a heating of the plasma and an energy transfer between the primary waves. The process can be interpreted as direct nonlinear interaction between the primary waves and the particles. The results of the general analysis are applied to the phenomenon of beat heating of a plasma by means of two laser beams, and also to the stimulated Compton scattering effect.