EFFECT OF STATIC MAGNETIC FIELD ON RADIATION THROUGH A PLASMA SHEATH

Abstract

The radiation characteristics of a filament of finite length with a triangular current distribution are investigated for the case in which it is situated along the axis of an infinitely long, axially magnetized column of uniform plasma. In general, the current filament will excite guided waves along the plasma column as well as space waves. The radiation pattern in the far zone and the radiation resistance of the current filament contributed by the space waves are studied as a function of the radius of the plasma column, the operating frequency of the source, the strength of the applied static magnetic field, and the length of the current filament with the current at its center kept constant. In particular, for various frequencies below the plasma frequency and for a particular radius of the plasma column, the radiation pattern and the radiation resistance are presented as a function of the strength of the applied static magnetic field. These results indicate that a significant improvement in the transmission through a plasma sheath can be obtained by a suitable application of a static magnetic field. A brief discussion of the characteristics of the possible guided waves along the plasma column is also included.