Data Analysis

Traces over varying frequencies with steady state density and magnetic field gave a definitive cone structure reminiscent of the theorized resonance cones. Taking the largest value observed and comparing with the theoretical values calculated in equation (9), it can be seen the values measured follow the same trend, with a consistent error of less about 3 degrees in magnitude, as shown in figure 5. Consideration of the structure of the electric field as seen in figure 4 shows that the oscillating charge gives rise to not one, but multiple cones, as would be predicted by Burrel [3] when dealing with a nonzero electron temperature. According to Burrel, in the prescence of a magnetized plasma, a nonzero electron temperature should modify the cold plasma resonance cone structure to include angles determined by the Airy function, allowing for the propogation of nearly undamped ion acoustic waves. These angles would respresent the allowed direction of the phase velocity vectors [2]. This experiment focused on cones representing the group velocity vectors, compared to theory operating under the assumption that \(T_{e}\simeq0\). A peak was observed in the electric field along the axial center, as of a resonance cone with an angle of \(0\,^{\circ}\). Comparison of \(\theta=0\) with equation (10), we can see this should only occur for frequencies where \(\omega^2=\omega_{pe}^2+\omega_{ce}^2\), and not over a range of frequencies, suggesting these are not caused by resonance cones. Rather, we theorize these to be due to high energy electrons excited by the oscillating point charge following the central field line. The magnitudes of the fluctuations of the electric field due to the short antenna can be seen in a radial slice of the field by figure 3.