THERMAL CUTOFFS OF THE WHISTLER MODE OF PROPAGATION,
Abstract
Recent theoretical analysis of the thermal damp ing of right-hand circularly-polarized electromag netic waves propagating along a static magnetic field (whistler mode) in hot plasmas which have (Cauchy) velocity distributions of the form (v square a square)-3 was extended in order to compare the results more directly with experi ments. The dispersion equation has a simple alg form which can be solved for all fre quencies including cyclotron resonance. A thermal Doppler shift in the cyclotron resonance attenuates the mode below the zero-temperature resonance and produces an effective cutoff exper imentally. For a given thermal damping decrement in a magnetic field, curves have been obtained which relate the cutoff frequency to the electron density and temperature of the plasma. The re sults are compared with previous numerical anal yses using the Maxwell distribution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0413315
Entities
People
- Harold B. Liemohn
Organizations
- Boeing