Wave Propagation along Warm Plasma Columns

Abstract

Dispersion relations for waves propagating along homogeneous, isotropic, warm plasma columns surrounded by a dielectric medium are obtained. A steady‐state linearized model with temperature introduced through a scalar pressure is analyzed both quasistatically and more rigorously from Maxwell's equations. The results show effects of temperature on the cold plasma surface wave and predict a new series of propagating modes above the plasma frequency related to the Tonks‐Dattner scattering resonances near cutoff and to the Bohm‐Gross longitudinal plasma waves for large wave numbers. Warm and cold plasmas, large and small columns, and quasistatic and rigorous predictions are contrasted. Regions of the Brillouin diagram corresponding to different bound and radiating wave types are delineated and related to their physical properties.