PLASMA PERMITTIVITY OF WEAKLY IONIZED INHOMOGENEOUS MAGNETIZED PLASMAS

The longitudinal permittivity of weakly ionized low-temperature inhomo geneous magnetized plasmas is derived on the basis of the kinetic plas ma model. Oblique propagation (with respect to the external, comparati vely weak, magnetic field) of potential perturbations in d.c. discharg e plasmas sustained under conditions of a diffusion-controlled regime is modelled. The equilibrium plasma state accounts for (i) collisions of charged particles with neutrals; (ii) plasma inhomogeneity in a dir ection perpendicular to the external magnetic field; (iii) crossed ele ctric and magnetic fields; and (iv) electric field parallel to the ext ernal magnetic field. The solution of the Boltzmann equation obtained in the framework of successive approximations approaches the case of a non-complete ion magnetization and comparatively strong E x B drift o f the ions due to an enhanced ambipolar electric field. The methods of integration over the unperturbed trajectories and over the angle of t he gyromotion are applied.