The dispersion and attenuation of helicon waves in a cylindrical plasma-filled wave-guide

Abstract

The dispersion equation for helicon waves in a plasma-filled wave-guide is derived. The relation between the solution and the quasi-static modes of Trivelpiece & Gould is discussed. An approximate dispersion relation, appropriate for cases where Ω_e≫ ν ≫ ω, is obtained allowing the real and imaginary parts of the propagation constant to be expressed very simply in a normalized form. Curves are presented for this approximation.