The F2 layer of the ionosphere has electron density and is threaded by a magnetic field

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Plasma Physics · Waves in plasmas · Waves in plasmas

Plasma Physics, Ch Cold magnetised plasma waves: the dielectric tensor, cutoffs, resonances and the CMA diagram

Problem

The F2 layer of the ionosphere has electron density ne=1.0×1012 m−3n_e = 1.0\times10^{12}\,\mathrm{m^{-3}} and is threaded by a magnetic field B0=5.0×10−5 TB_0 = 5.0\times10^{-5}\,\mathrm{T}. A radio wave of frequency f=5.0 MHzf = 5.0\,\mathrm{MHz} is sent into it. Treat the plasma as cold and collisionless and keep electrons only (the ions change every Stix function by less than a part in a thousand at this frequency). ((a)) Calculate X=ωpe2/ω2X = \omega_{pe}^2/\omega^2 and Y=∣Ωe∣/ωY = |\Omega_e|/\omega. ((b)) Calculate the Stix functions RR, LL, PP, SS and DD.

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