Modeling the propagation of whistler-mode waves in the presence of field-aligned density irregularities

Abstract

We present a numerical study of propagation of VLF whistler-mode waves in a laboratory plasma. Our goal is to understand whistler propagation in magnetic field-aligned irregularities (also called channels or ducts). Two cases are examined, that of a high-frequency (ω>Ωce/2) whistler in a density depletion duct and that of a low-frequency (ω<Ωce/2) whistler in a density enhancement. Results from a numerical simulation of whistler wave propagation are compared to data from the UCLA Los Angeles Physics Teachers Alliance Group plasma device and whistler propagation in pre-existing density depletion and density enhancement ducts is demonstrated.