Analytical Solution of the O-X Mode Conversion Problem

Abstract

The excitation of a slow extraordinary wave in a overdense plasma from an ordinary wave impinging on the critical layer in the plane spanned by the density gradient and magnetic field is solved analytically by formulating the problem in terms of a parabolic cylinder equation. A formula for the angular dependence of the transmission coefficient is derived.Comment: Final version as accepted for publication in Phys. Lett.