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Appendix 12A: Faraday Rotation versus
NaturalRotation
Equation 12.31 gives the expression for the angle ψ of the linearly polarized wave as it
propagates in the magnetoplasma medium. In this appendix, we show how that expres-
sion is obtained. We also show an application of this Faraday rotation in measuring the
total electron content in the ionosphere [1].
Such a rotation also occurs in chiral medium called natural rotation or optical activity
discussed in Section 9.3. However, there is an important difference between Faraday rota-
tion and natural rotation. This aspect is also explained (see Figure 12A.1).
12A.1 Faraday Rotation
At z = 0, ...