EFFECTS OF NEUTRAL DYNAMICS ON ELECTROMAGNETIC MODES IN PARTIALLY-IONIZED PLASMA

Electromagnetic modes in a partially ionized, inhomogeneous and magnet ized plasma are investigated by taking into account of the effects of neutral dynamics. Using the set of Maxwell's equations and basic fluid equations that describe neutrals and plasmas, the existence of new ty pe of plasma instabilities in the low frequency domain both for strong and weak plasma-neutral coupling cases has been demonstrated. It is a lso shown that the results obtained earlier in this held of research c an easily be retrieved from our most general dispersion relation. The modified version of the preexisting modes as well as the generation of new modes due to neutral dynamics are highlighted. It has also been p ointed out the relevance of these modes in several reported laboratory and space phenomena and hence it demonstrates the significance of neu tral dynamics.