Collective effect in an electron plasma system catalyzed by a localized electromagnetic wave

The possibility of the existence of an essentially single-species plasma state represented by a stable packet of charged particles moving collectively through space-time is examined. The collective plasma state is catalyzed by a localized electromagnetic wave. Condensation to this state is shown to occur on a very short time scale. The model treats the particle packet as a warm electron plasma (fluid) and self-consistently incorporates the resulting electromagnetic field. Predicted characteristics of the localized particle packet and its associated electromagnetic fields compare favorably with recent experimental data.