Introducing a new method for FDTD modeling of electromagnetic wave propagation in magnetized plasma

Abstract

Computational investigations of electromagnetic wave propagation in the upper atmosphere are important for studying space weather hazards, such as geomagnetically induced currents (GICs). GICs are currents generated in gas/oil pipelines, railroads, and electric power networks due to solar storms and the consequent modification of the ionospheric current system. In the upper atmosphere where the collision frequency of the charged particles becomes negligible, the medium is magnetized and anisotropic. The difficulty in modeling wave propagation in magnetized plasma is due to the difficulty in accurately calculating the electric current. The electric current can be found from the momentum equation. However, a fast and efficient method is required to find the electric current perpendicular and parallel to the geomagnetic field.