A microwave observation of a solar active-region loop uses a frequency

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

f = 3.0\,\mathrm{GHz}

. At the observed point in the loop,

n_e = 1.0\times10^{15}\,\mathrm{m^{-3}}

and

B_0 = 0.020\,\mathrm{T}

. The plasma is hydrogenic,

m_i = m_p

. ((a)) Evaluate the five Stix functions

R

L

P

S

and

D

at this frequency, keeping only the electron contribution. ((b)) Calculate the cutoff frequencies

f_R

and

f_L

of the parallel R and L waves, with the ions neglected. ((c)) Calculate the upper hybrid frequency

f_{UH}

and, treating the ions as protons, the lower hybrid frequency

f_{LH}