Wave propagation in relativistic extended thermodynamics of a charged fluid

An analysis of discontinuity wave propagation across a constant state for a relativistic charged fluid with finite electric conductivity is performed. Beside thecontact wave usual in fluid dynamics, acharge wave arises which propagates with the drift speed of the ions. The remaining eight waves are all coupled together and reduce to magnetoacustic and Alfven waves when the electric conductivity tends to infinity, while they become purely electromagnetic waves when the electric permutivity and the magnetic permeability of the medium are the same as in vacuo.