Excitation of whistler waves below the lower hybrid frequency by a loop antenna located in an enhanced density duct

Abstract

Whistler wave radiation from a loop antenna located in a cylindrical duct with enhanced plasma density is considered in the case where the wave frequency is less than the lower hybrid frequency. Using the full-wave formulation, the total radiation resistance and the partial radiation resistances corresponding to guided eigenmodes of such a duct and unguided waves radiating to the background magnetoplasma are calculated and analyzed as functions of the plasma and source parameters. The emphasis is placed on the radiation characteristics of the considered source in the presence of an artificial near-antenna duct that can be created during active experiments in the ionosphere. Conditions are revealed under which the total radiation resistance is predominantly determined by the excitation of the eigenmodes of the duct. It is shown that the presence of an enhanced density duct can lead to a notable increase in the radiation resistance of a loop antenna in the discussed frequency range even if the duct is rather narrow and capable of guiding only a single low-order eigenmode. The results obtained can be helpful in understanding the basic features of excitation of the ducted whistlers and planning the related ionospheric and laboratory experiments.