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Electromagnetic Radiation and Scattering in a Plasma with an Azimuthal Biasing Field

Citation

Warne, Larry Kevin (1984) Electromagnetic Radiation and Scattering in a Plasma with an Azimuthal Biasing Field. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/tja8-zp12. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-01232007-143259

Abstract

The problem of radiation from an electric line source in a homogeneous, cold, incompressible electron plasma is considered when a large static current is superposed. The static axial current gives rise to a magnetostatic biasing field which is oriented in the azimuthal direction and varies with radial distance. When the driving frequency is greater than the plasma frequency, and the medium is assumed to be unbounded, the presence of the static current reduces the amount of radiation. On the other hand, if the driving frequency is less than the plasma frequency and the medium is assumed to be bounded, the amount of radiation is increased.

The problem of scattering from an axial current in a plasma is also considered. The medium in this problem is taken to be a bounded column of plasma containing a radially distributed axial current. At normal incidence the scattered wave contains a cross polarized field component due to the gyrotropic nature of the column. The scattered cross polarized component vanishes in the incident direction as well as in the backward direction. This null is explained by considering the effect of Faraday rotation on various rays traversing the column. Solutions to the scattering problem when the axial current density varies inversely with radial distance are considered in some detail. This case is labeled "homogeneous" since the dielectric tensor does not vary with radial distance and the resulting field equations are thus simplified. The field behavior in the vicinity of the origin is also considered in detail since phenomena similar to those encountered in wedge type media (unbounded fields) occur.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:Electrical Engineering
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Engineering and Applied Science
Major Option:Electrical Engineering
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Papas, Charles Herach
Thesis Committee:
  • Martel, Hardy Cross (chair)
  • Psaltis, Demetri
  • Rutledge, David B.
  • Kath, William L.
  • Papas, Charles Herach
Defense Date:5 December 1983
Record Number:CaltechETD:etd-01232007-143259
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechETD:etd-01232007-143259
DOI:10.7907/tja8-zp12
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:297
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Imported from ETD-db
Deposited On:06 Feb 2007
Last Modified:16 Apr 2021 23:17

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