Scattering of electromagnetic waves from a magnetized plasma column at oblique incidence

Scattering of electromagnetic waves from a magnetized plasma column is investigated using Maxwell's equations and applying boundary conditions. Backscattering cross section is evaluated by analytic solution of electric fields inside and outside of plasma column. Plots of backscattering cross section versus frequency, for the range up to J band, reveal two main peaks and two sidebands. Effects of plasma density and radius, as main parameters determining the characteristics of plasma column, on backscattering are discussed. Furthermore, the effect of electromagnetic wave incidence angle on backscattering of plasma column is included in the analysis. The influence of wave incidence angle and frequency, as well as, plasma density and radius on scattering pattern, which is an indicator of the distribution of scattered power in different azimuthal angles, is discussed. (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC.