Scattering of polarized radio waves by Langmuir turbulence in a plasma in a magnetic field

A study is made of radio-wave scattering by Langmuir turbulent pulsations in a plasma in a magnetic field. The effect of this process on the polarization of radio waves at frequencies far above or close to the electron plasma frequency is investigated. The wave scattering by Langmuir turbulence is shown to strongly affect the polarization characteristics. When the optical thickness typical of the scattering process is on the order of unity, the degree of wave polarization can change by 30% both at high frequencies and at frequencies close to the plasma frequency, in which case the circular polarization can reverse direction. It is shown that, as a result of wave scattering by Langmuir turbulence, the degree of circular polarization of radio waves depends on the wavelength even in a uniform magnetic field.