Abstract
Naturally occurring plasma waves characterized by fine frequency structure or discrete spectrum, detected by satellite, rocket‐borne instruments, or ground‐based receivers, can be interpreted as eigenmodes excited and trapped in field‐aligned density structures. This paper overviews various theoretical methods to study such phenomena for a one‐dimensional (1‐D) density structure. Among the various methods are parabolic approximation, eikonal matching, eigenfunction matching, and full numerical solution based upon shooting method. Various approaches are compared against the full numerical solution. Among the analytic methods it is found that the eigenfunction matching technique best approximates the actual numerical solution. The analysis is further extended to 2‐D geometry. A detailed comparative analysis between the eigenfunction matching and fully numerical methods is carried out for the 2‐D case. Although in general the two methods compare favorably, significant differences are also found such that for application to actual observations it is prudent to employ the fully numerical method. Application of the methods developed in the present paper to actual geophysical problems will be given in a companion paper.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
