Amplification of electromagnetic radiation by a nonequilibrium plasma unstable against the development of Weibel instability

The reflection of an electromagnetic pulse by a nonequilibrium plasma in which the development of Weibel instability is possible has been studied. An exponentially strong amplification of the reflected signal at the stage of instability development has been found to be possible. The amplification maximum takes place at a radiation frequency comparable to the instability growth rate. A nonequilibrium plasma is shown to be a generator of radiation even after the switch-off of the incident pulse. The described effect of amplification of the reflected signal points, in particular, to a new possibility in mastering the terahertz frequency band.