Oblique incidence of waves on an inhomogeneous plasma with finite density gradient
The interaction of an obliquely incident electromagnetic wave with an inhomogeneous plasma is studied for an arbitrary density gradient. The reflection coefficient for long waves is found as a function of the angle of incidence and of the plasma characteristics. If the charge density falls off monotonically and smoothly outside the plasma, the reflection of the normal field component is spatially separated from that of the tangential component. In general, the normal component has an important effect on the reflection coefficient. Only in the limiting case of a sharp boundary, in which the dimension of the transition region is small in comparison with the depth to which the field penetrates into the plasma, can the normal field component be ignored and the Leontovich boundary condition used to solve the external electrodynamic problems.
- Research Organization:
- Institute of Physical Problems, Academy of Sciences of the USSR, Moscow
- OSTI ID:
- 6123906
- Journal Information:
- Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. J. Plasma Phys. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 5:1; ISSN SJPPD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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