A kinetic CMA diagram

Abstract We present a kinetic Clemmow–Mullaly–Allis (CMA) diagram by systematically analysing the kinetic effects on the wave propagation in a homogeneous thermal plasma. The differences between the cold and kinetic CMA diagrams are outlined. It is found that new boundaries for weakly damped left- and right-handed circularly polarized waves are located above the ion and electron cyclotron frequency lines in the kinetic CMA diagram. Additionally, Langmuir waves in the kinetic CMA diagram occupy a specific region between the new Langmuir wave boundary and the plasma frequency line, while in the cold CMA diagram, they exist on the plasma frequency line. The extraordinary-Bernstein mode transformation frequency lines in the kinetic CMA diagram replace the hybrid resonant frequency lines of the cold CMA diagram, with discontinuities between different cyclotron harmonics. These new boundaries partition the parameter space in the kinetic CMA diagram differently, leading to new inverse wave normal surfaces in the regions bounded by new boundaries. The kinetic CMA diagram not only contributes to a basic understanding of wave properties in thermal plasmas, but also can provide a powerful tool to explore new possible propagation paths.