Variation in the propagation characteristics of extraordinary mode with density, magnetic field and temperature in a relativistic plasma environment

Abstract

Propagation characteristics of extraordinary mode (perpendicularly propagating electromagnetic wave which is partly transverse and partly longitudinal known as X-mode) are examined in a relativistic, weakly relativis- tic and non-relativistic plasma environment for various density to magnetic field ratio ( ωpe/ωce ). The dispersion relation for X-mode is derived by using the relativistic kinetic model and employing Maxwell-Juttner distribution function. The integrals involved in the calculation are evaluated by using numerical quadrature approach. The mass dependent quantities like the cyclotron frequency and the plasma frequency will change by introducing sufficiently high temperature for which η = mc2 kB T < 1. This will effect significantly the propagation characteristics of X-mode. As the relativistic effects increase, the absorption at cyclotron frequency reduces and the dispersion characteristics of plasma vanishes. With the increase in the density or decrease in the magnetic field, the upper hybrid frequency and the right cutoff frequency shifted to a higher value, altering the propagation region.