The propagation of electromagnetic waves in ionized gases

Abstract

Recent studies lend support to the theory that whistling atmospherics are caused by lightning flashes, the electromagnetic energy radiated by these being guided along discrete columnar ionic irregularities which follow approximately the lines of force of the earth's magnetic field. In Part I, the theoretical problems that arise are set forth and a general wave theory is developed which is first applied to the problem of propagation through homogeneous compound streaming media. In Part II, the simplest case of "standard type" propagation along stationary columns is carefully examined, both for columns with a central ionic surplus and for columns with a central ionic deficiency. Although both types of columns can guide electromagnetic energy when sufficiently well developed, it appears that the former type is a much more likely mechanism for the whistler propagation than the latter. In Part III, an attempt is made to show how a systematic theory might be developed for the case of axially moving columns. It is hoped in subsequent papers to further extend this theory and also to deal with propagation of a more general type of disturbances along the columns.