The impedance of a short dipole antenna in a magnetized plasma via a finite difference time domain model

The traditional analytical analysis of plasma probes requires the use of quasi-static approximations, while numerical methods require the use of an equivalent dispersive media, both producing a nontrivial analysis of the plasma environment. On the other hand, a few techniques that combine the plasma fluid equations with Maxwell's equations have only addressed wave propagation through spatially constant plasma. All of these models are limited in analysis of in situ measurements. This paper modifies the current finite-difference time-domain methods to more accurately model the ionospheric environment. Decoupled boundary conditions are presented in an attempt at coping with the instabilities of the plasma at the boundaries. The final model is then compared to analytical theory of radio-frequency plasma probes.