Dispersion curves for the generalized Bernstein modes

Abstract

Dispersion curves are plotted for the extraordinary branch of the electron- and ion-cyclotron harmonic waves propagating perpendicularly to the static magnetic field in a non-relativistic, hot Maxwellian plasma, without invoking the electrostatic approximation. It is found that, except in the vicinity of the cyclotron harmonics and the hybrid resonances, either the cold-plasma or the electrostatic approximation are accurate representations of the exact solution. The hybrid resonances of the cold-plasma model become monotonically shrinking regions of low group velocity as the temperature is increased, till all discernible evidence of these resonances disappears as the parameters corresponding to the thermonuclear plasmas are approached.