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The linear and nonlinear properties of low‐frequency motion in inhomogeneous, magnetized, dusty plasmas are investigated. The dynamics of the dust grains are taken into account by means of a fluid model. A new type of low‐frequency waves, the dust‐drift waves, is shown to exist. The nonlinear mode coupling equations are derived, and the possibility of propagating vortex structures is discussed. The dust‐drift waves may be relevant in astrophysical and cometary plasmas.

It is shown that a modified electron-acoustic wave exists in a plasma with distinct hot and cold electron components. The frequency of this wave depends strongly on the cold electron number density. Solitons associated with the modified electron-acoustic waves are also discussed.

It is shown that finite amplitude ion acoustic solitary waves propagating obliquely to an external magnetic field can occur in a plasma.

Fully nonlinear planar ion-acoustic solitary waves moving obliquely to an external magnetic field are studied.

Acceleration of electrons in a low-density plasma in front of a solid target by a propagating short ultraintense laser pulse is studied. When the laser is reflected at the target surface the accelerated electrons, with energy scaling as the laser intensity, continue to move forward inertially and thus escape from the pulse. Electrons accelerated backwards by the reflected light can attain even higher energies due to their longer acceleration length and their high initial momentum from a relativistic return current.

Operation and mode jumps in low-frequency (500 kHz) radio-frequency inductively coupled plasmas are investigated. The discharge is driven by a flat inductive coil which can excite the electrostatic (E) and electromagnetic (H) discharge modes. The power transfer efficiency and mode transition behavior are studied. It is found that the power reflection coefficient as a function of the input power is minimal in the vicinity of the mode transitions and exhibits hysteresis, which is also observed when the operating gas pressure is varied.

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