We have made preliminary observations of the spatial localization of an electron plasma wave in a fluctuating plasma. The effect is related to the general wave phenomenon known as Anderson localization which is applicable both quantum mechanically and classically. Our experiment consists of a multipole discharge plasma in which a launched ion-acoustic mode provides a density fluctuation. We have observed an increase in the damping of an additional launched electron plasma wave which follows the predictions of a Mathieu-type equation for the wave amplitude evolution.

• Received 31 March 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.69.2074