The calculation of group velocity in magneto-ionic theory

Abstract

It is shown how the magneto-ionic group refractive index μ′ may be calculated as a function of the direction of propagation θ by expressing both these quantities in simple form in terms of a parameter λ, which is given a series of values. A similar method gives μ′ as a function of the electron density for a fixed value of θ. Whereas most computations of μ′ made up to the present have required electronic calculating machines, the simplified formulae given here are suitable for use with a desk calculator. Throughout, the effect of collisions in the medium is neglected.