Computation of whistler ray paths

Abstract

Calculations of whistler ray p at hs in the oute r ionos phere are shown for a vari ety of electron density profile m odels including exponential, constant, and columnar profiles. The Haselgrove formu latio n of th e ray equations was used with the magneto-ionic rep re-sentation of t he wave refractive index to d evelop a set of differential equation s for ray trac ing sui table for inhomogeneous, anisotropic m edium. The variation of p aths wi th fr equ ency, latit ude, ini tial wave-normal angle, and other variables are exam in ed fo r t he purpose of prov id ing a prelimin ar y basis fo r comparison of t he t heoretical with som e of the exp eri-mental result s.