Title: Absolute two plasmon parametric decay of obliquely incident electromagnetic waves in an inhomogeneous plasma
Abstract: The parametric decay of an electromagnetic wave into two electron plasma waves in an inhomogeneous plasma is considered. The electromagnetic wave is obliquely incident on the density gradient. The resulting analysis shows that the threshold for absolute instability decreases as the angle of incidence of the electromagnetic wave relative to the density gradient aproaches 90°. The limitations of this analysis and its importance to laser fusion are discussed.