Published online by Cambridge University Press: 13 March 2009
The propagation of small-amplitude hydromagnetic waves in a cold plasma mixed with hot electrons is investigated using the first order CGL equations for electrons. It is assumed that in an equilibrium state the electrons consist of two components, cold electrons and hot electrons with bi-Maxwellians. Propagation properties of hydromagnetic waves are analysed by use of phase speed and refractive index surfaces, polarization, and the amplitude ratio between perturbed density and magnetic field. It is shown that the existence of cold electrons affects the properties of hydromagnetic waves through finite frequency corrections only when the temperature anisotropy exists; and that the existence of cold electrons diminishes the resonance angle and the critical angle at which the polarization sense changes from left-handed to right-handed, and also weakens the tendency of intermediate waves to follow the lines of force of the static magnetic field.