On an application of the Kummer confluent hypergeometric functions

A lemma concerning an important property of the real zeros of the Kummer function is proved numerically. Based on it and on some known attributes of the latter, criteria for slow TE/sub 0n/ mode propagation in a circular waveguide with azimuthally magnetized ferrite are drawn. The phase characteristics of the configuration for the slow TE/sub 01/ mode are presented.