AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE PROPAGATION OF HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES IN A PLASMA

Abstract

The n = ! 1, E mode of hydromagnetic wave propagation has been studied in a cylindrical plasma waveguide. Excitation at 1.0, 2.3, and 3.0 megacycles per second was achieved by means of a circular current-carrying loop immersed in the plasma. Magnetic probes, distributed along the length of the waveguide and capable of insertionALONG A RADIUS, WERE USED TO DETERMINE THE RADIAL DEPENDENCE AND DIRECTION OF THE SIGNAL FIELDS AND, HENCE, THE NATURE OF THE PROPAGATING MODE. These probes were also used to detect the propagation of the waves. Measurement of wave velocity was interpreted to yield the ion density in the plasma, and, furthermore, measurement of wave velocity at different intervals after plasma preparation was interpreted to yield the ion density decay rate. Experiments were performed to detect the rotation of the plane of polarization of the signal fields. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 05, 1962
Accession Number
AD0282899

Entities

People

  • Ieuan R. Jones
  • Roy W. Gould

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Charged Particles
  • Excitation
  • Intervals
  • Ion Density
  • Ions
  • Measurement
  • Motion
  • Physical Properties
  • Polarization
  • Rotation
  • Wave Propagation
  • Waveguides

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Microwave Engineering.
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.