MODIFICATION OF THE IONOSPHERE BY RADIOWAVES
Abstract
A theoretical model is presented for calculating the heating and hydrodynamic expansion of the F-layer of the ionosphere due to an incident radiowave. We find that the greatest effects occur for transmitter frequencies just above the critical frequency of the F-layer. Using a power aperture product of 1,000 sq megawatt-meter, which corresponds to a projected experiment by ESSA at Boulder, Colorado, we find a maximum increase in the electron temperature at the peak of the F-layer of about thirty percent with a reduction in the electron density of about ten percent. The time scale for achieving the density changes is predicted to be about one-half hour to an hour.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0689662
Entities
People
- R. E. Lelevier
Organizations
- RAND Corporation