DISPERSION OF DIPOLAR ELECTROMAGNETIC-WAVES IN A RADIALLY INHOMOGENEOUS AXIALLY MAGNETIZED PLASMA-COLUMN

The wavelengths and attenuation coefficients of dipolar left and right -hand circularly polarized waves in a radially inhomogeneous axially m agnetized plasma column are computed by means of step approximation of the radial plasma density profile. A comparison with theoretical resu lts assuming radial plasma homogeneity shows that the radial plasma in homogeneity is significant for wave propagation. In particular it faci litates the occurrence of backward waves and increases by up to one or der of magnitude the wave attenuation coefficient compared with a homo geneous plasma column having the same average plasma density.