Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 October 2008
This paper deals with wave propagation in inhomogeneous compressible electron plasmas. The waves are described by Maxwell's equations coupled to the linearized single-fluid equations of hydrodynamics. Coupled wave equations are derived which describe the propagation of coupled electromagnetic and electron acoustic waves. Results are obtained for generally inhomogeneous plasmas and are specialized to planar and cylindrically stratified media. Particular attention is given to the planar case and several approximate techniques for treating the equations are discussed. The fields in a region of coupling are investigated.