Effect of Large Values of Parameters Z_i and Z_e on the Complex Refractive Index in Magneto-ionic Theory

Abstract

The effect of large values of Z_i = ν_i/ω and Z_e = ν_e/ω (where ν_i and ν_e are the frequency of collisions of ions and electrons respectively and ω is the angular frequency of the propagating wave) on the general refractive index (n = μ—iχ) of the ionosphere has been studied. The complex value of n has been evaluated taking into account the effects of magnetic field, ion and temperature using McLaurin's expansion. For the particular case of no magnetic field, the imaginary component of n is found to be independent of temperature effects.