Finite-difference time-domain simulation of electromagnetic propagation in magnetized plasma

The electromagnetic propagation through a homogeneous magnetized plasma slab is studied using the finite-difference time-domain method based on Z transforms. The reflection and transmission coefficients of the magnetized plasma layer for the right-hand circularly polarized wave are computed. The comparison of the numerical results of the Z transform and recursive convolution algorithms with analytic values indicates that the Z transform algorithm is more accurate than the recursive convolution algorithm. The dependence of the absorption coefficient on frequency is presented. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.