How to calculate this dispersion relation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding a dispersion relation, particularly the derivation process and the implications of certain terms in the formula, such as the inclusion of plus and minus signs.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the derivation of the dispersion relation and question the dimensional correctness of elements in a related 2x2 matrix. There are discussions about the conditions under which the solutions apply, specifically regarding the frequency parameter ##\omega##.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, identifying potential errors and discussing different cases for the dispersion relation. Some guidance has been offered regarding the treatment of the determinant and the need to consider separate cases based on the value of ##\omega##.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of missing information regarding the derivation process and the specific conditions under which the dispersion relation is valid. Participants also note the limitations of the methods discussed, suggesting a lack of a general strategy for obtaining dispersion relations.

Karl86
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Homework Statement
Let ##\mathbf{E}## be an electric field that behaves like ##e^{i\mathbf{k}\cdot\mathbf{r} -\omega t}## and consider the equation relating ##\mathbf{E}## to the displacement field ##\mathbf{D}##: $$\mathbf{k}^2 \mathbf{E}=\frac{\omega^2}{c^2}\mathbf{D}$$ ##\mathbf{D}## is related to ##\mathbf{E}## by a permittivity matrix ##\epsilon_{ij}## such that ##D_i=\sum_j\epsilon_{ij} E_j##, but this should not be relevant. If I know that the solutions ##\mathbf{E}## to the equation that are transverse to ##\mathbf{k}##, are given by the ##(E_1,E_2)## such that
$$ \begin{pmatrix} \omega^2 - c^2 k^2 -\frac{\omega_p^2 \omega^2}{\omega^2 - \omega_c^2} & i\frac{\omega_p^2 \omega_c \omega^2}{\omega^2-\omega_c^2} \\ -i\frac{\omega_p^2 \omega_c \omega^2}{\omega^2-\omega_c^2} & \omega^2 - c^2 k^2 -\frac{\omega_p^2 \omega^2}{\omega^2 - \omega_c^2} \end{pmatrix} \begin{pmatrix} E_1 \\ E_2 \end{pmatrix} = 0 $$ It is claimed that the dispersion relation of such a wave solution is $$c^2 k^2 = \omega^2 \left(1 - \frac{\omega_p^2}{\omega(\omega \pm \omega_c)}\right) $$ I don't understand this.
Relevant Equations
##\omega^2=\Omega^2(k)## ??
I have no idea how this dispersion relation was deduced, and also what's the meaning of including plus and minus in the formula.
 
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The non-trivial solutions have the determinant of the 2x2 matrix on the left equal to zero. Perhaps that helps. Otherwise, for a complete treatment, see Ichimaru's Basic Principles of Plasma Physics A Statistical Approach Section 3.1.
 
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Somewhere, there seems to be an error or two in that 2x2 matrix. The (1,2) and (2,1) elements are not dimensionally correct.
 
Charles Link said:
Somewhere, there seems to be an error or two in that 2x2 matrix. The (1,2) and (2,1) elements are not dimensionally correct.
There is one extra ##\omega## factor in both but I can no longer edit the post. It all worked out anyway, except that I thought there was a general strategy to obtain dispersion relations for generic waves, instead it looks like there are ad hoc methods, so to speak.
 
Yes, I see it now also. It should be first power of ## \omega ## in the numerator of the (2,1) and (1,2) terms.
 
And for this one, you need to do two cases separately: ## \omega > \omega_c ##, and ## \omega < \omega_c ##. I worked the first case and got the minus sign in the denominator. The second one is trickier, but it no doubt gives the plus in the denominator.
 
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