Weakly relativistic dielectric tensor for arbitrary wavenumbers
- Max-Planck-Institut fuer Plasmaphysik, D-17491 Greifswald (Germany)
The validity of Shkarofsky's dielectric tensor is extended by taking the strictly weakly relativistic limit and removing, when possible, assumptions on the wavenumbers along and across the ambient magnetic field, k{sub parallel} and k{sub perpendicular}. An approximation of the time integral is retained, but is shown to be valid under more benign assumptions than those of quasiperpendicular incidence and small Larmor radius. The increased generality with respect to k{sub parallel} permits to handle cases of comparable Doppler and relativistic widths of electron cyclotron resonances. The tensor also suits Bernstein waves, as it captures both their natural large k{sub perpendicular} and the finite k{sub parallel} that is typical of some mode conversions, or acquired as a consequence of the large k{sub perpendicular} when propagating in curved magnetic fields. Finally, relativistic corrections to the optimal angle for the ordinary-extraordinary Bernstein mode conversion are presented.
- OSTI ID:
- 21072678
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 14, Issue 12; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.2812707; (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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