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Comparisons of techniques for measurement of D ‐region electron densities
Author(s) -
Sechrist C. F.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs009i002p00137
Subject(s) - ionospheric sounding , sounding rocket , rocket (weapon) , ionosphere , depth sounding , electron density , differential phase , faraday effect , zenith , computational physics , physics , solar zenith angle , remote sensing , incoherent scatter , electron , radio wave , absorption (acoustics) , optics , phase (matter) , geology , geophysics , atmospheric sciences , astronomy , geography , oceanography , archaeology , quantum mechanics , magnetic field
This paper reviews the ground‐based and rocket techniques that are presently being used to determine electron density profiles in the ionospheric D region. Ground‐based techniques include VLF, LF, and MF sounding, differential absorption and differential phase using partial reflections, wave interaction, and incoherent scatter. Rocket techniques include differential absorption and Faraday rotation in association with high‐resolution dc probes calibrated by means of the radio measurements. The characteristics of the aforementioned techniques are presented, including time and height resolution, accuracy estimates, preferred height ranges, and problems encountered. Electron density profiles obtained with these techniques are presented for comparable solar zenith angles and undisturbed solar and geophysical conditions, and variances are described.