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Reflection and transmission of electromagnetic waves at electron density gradients

Albini, Frank A. and Jahn, Robert G. (1961) Reflection and transmission of electromagnetic waves at electron density gradients. Journal of Applied Physics, 32 (1). pp. 75-82. ISSN 0021-8979. doi:10.1063/1.1735964. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20110105-113557287

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Abstract

Solutions are obtained for the propagation of plane electromagnetic waves parallel to a gradient of free electron density, in the form of complex Airy functions. Reflection and transmission coefficients are derived for normal incidence on a linear "ramp" of electron density connecting a uniform dielectric gas with a uniform ionized gas, as functions of ramp length and propagation exponent of the latter. Machine evaluations of typical cases of physical interest are displayed and discussed. Similar study is made of two‐stage ramps of variable proportions, intended as second approximations to smooth profile transition zones. In each case, the reflection and transmission coefficients are found to depend strongly on ramp width over a range of several tenths of a wavelength, then to oscillate mildly toward the asymptotic values predicted from a WKB‐type approximation. The results are less sensitive to the detailed shape of the electron density profile. Propagation through a finite slab of ionized gas bounded on each side by such linear transition zones is formulated and evaluated for typical cases. Asymptotic approximations for the linear ramp problem are found to be inadequate to cover the entire range of interest. The neglect of variation in collision frequency through the transition is discussed and justified for a broad class of equilibrium profiles.


Item Type:Article
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1735964 DOIUNSPECIFIED
http://jap.aip.org/resource/1/japiau/v32/i1/p75_s1PublisherUNSPECIFIED
http://link.aip.org/link/JAPIAU/v32/i1/p75/s1 PublisherUNSPECIFIED
https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:07262011-115318209Related ItemCaltech PhD Thesis (Part II)
Additional Information:© 1961 American Institute of Physics. Received 10 October 1960. Online Publication Date: 11 June 2004. Work supported in part by the U. S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The authors acknowledge with thanks the help of Profs. J. Todd, W. D. Rannie, and F. E., Marble, and the staff of the Western Data Processing Center, U.C.L.A., on whose IBM 709 the calculations were performed.
Group:Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center
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Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)UNSPECIFIED
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Guggenheim Jet Propulsion Center UNSPECIFIED
Issue or Number:1
DOI:10.1063/1.1735964
Record Number:CaltechAUTHORS:20110105-113557287
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechAUTHORS:20110105-113557287
Official Citation:Reflection and Transmission of Electromagnetic Waves at Electron Density Gradients Frank A. Albini and Robert G. Jahn J. Appl. Phys. 32, 75 (1961) doi:10.1063/1.1735964
Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:21605
Collection:CaltechAUTHORS
Deposited By: Ruth Sustaita
Deposited On:18 Jan 2011 17:56
Last Modified:09 Nov 2021 15:58

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