Ordinary waves in relativistic plasmas - arbitrary wave propagation angle

Ordinary waves propagating at an arbitrary angle to the steady magnetic field in thermal relativistic plasma are investigated. It is concluded that at oblique propagation, the wave propagation and absorption features are similar to those which characterize the perpendicular propagation of the ordinary wave. In particular, it is found that in a wide Nparallel-range (0≤Nparallel<1) the increase of the electron temperature leads to an important shift of the location of the plasma cut-off density towards high values. The effect of anomalous wave dispersion near the fundamental and second harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency is also present at oblique wave propagation. It disappears gradually in the high-temperature, fully relativistic domain. Efficient damping of the ordinary waves is obtained. It increases with electron density up to a broad maximum which occurs at relatively high densities. (author)