Radiation from Alford aerial in a warm plasma

A linearised hydrodynamic theory is used to deduce expressions for the electromagnetic and plasma components of far fields, and of the radiation resistance, of a square-loop or Alford aerial immersed in an isotropic warm plasma, assuming a general value for the propagation coefficient of the current distribution. The radiation resistances predicted by this theory are compared with measurements of radiation resistance obtained in the Ariel 3-satellite experiment. It is concluded that the propagation coefficient for the current distribution on the aerial in the plasma should be close to that of electromagnetic waves propagating in the plasma.