V.A. Bailey

Bio: V.A. Bailey is an academic researcher from University of Sydney. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cosmic ray & PAMELA detector. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 3 publications receiving 26 citations.

Artificial heating of the electrons in the F region of the ionosphere

Abstract: The possibility of artificially heating the electrons in the F region by means of a radio wave is investigated. On the basis of a somewhat oversimplified model of the actual problem, equations are derived for the steady-state values of the electron density and electron temperature profiles as a function of the transmitter parameters and the initial state of the ionosphere. These equations are then solved numerically for several cases of interest. At a frequency of 50 Mc/s, slight but probably detectable changes in the ionosphere could be produced by means of a large antenna and an average transmitter power of the order of 500 kw or more. At higher frequencies, or for smaller average powers, the effects are negligible. Thus heating is unlikely to complicate incoherent scattering measurements in the F region. By using frequencies very near the F-region penetration frequency, however, it is possible to achieve much larger effects because of the resonant absorption. Using only 50–100 kw and a sufficiently large antenna we could change the electron temperature by a few hundred degrees. Using higher powers, much larger changes are possible. Detailed measurements of the heating effects could provide considerable data on transport phenomena in the ionospheric plasma. The experiment would also provide a convenient way of studying a nonequilibrium plasma under fairly controlled conditions.

An ionospheric modification experiment using very high power, high frequency transmission

Abstract: An experiment resulting in ionospheric modification of the F region through heating by an HF transmitting facility located near Boulder, Colorado, has begun. This facility has a transmitter capable of producing nearly 2 Mw of average power, which, when used in conjunction with a 10-element ring array antenna, results in a power-aperture product of the order of 104 Mw m². Salient effects observed with radio-wave measurements after the heating transmitter had been turned on are: a prompt ionospheric response appearing within 30 sec as a deformation in the traces on ionosonde records; a development and growth of spread F starting within tens of seconds, frequently followed by multiple splitting of the O and X traces; appearance of a new time-varying broad-band echo which, at times, occurs after 10 min or more of heating and which changes in range with time; and a decrease, within 10 sec, of about 10 db in the amplitude of the O component alone, measured on an oblique path when heating with the O wave. Photometric measurements of 6300-A airglow from the heated region indicate about a 30% rise in electron temperature. Infrared radiation at 1.27 µ is enhanced in a region located down the magnetic field lines traversing the higher region initially heated by the radio wave.

Incoherent scatter of radio waves from the ionosphere

Abstract: Systematic studies of the upper atmosphere by the so-called incoherent-scatter technique have now been conducted at a limited number of sites for more than a decade. The article reviews the history of the development of the technique, the basic theory involved and the atmospheric parameters which have been successfully measured, together with a summary of existing facilities and current developments.

The Interplanetary Magnetic Field

Abstract: A new analysis of magnetic and concurrent plasma data collected from the space probes Pionecr 5, Explorer 10, and Mariner 2 yields a new model of the interplanetary magnetic field. It is hypothesized that the observed interplanetary field F/sub i/ is due to motion of the magnetometer relative to a negatively charged rotating sun from which magnetic lines of force are drawn out into space by a flow of plasma clouds and from which solar disturbances are propagated as generalized magneto-ionic waves. Application of the hypothesis is made to facts gathered from the space probes. It is proposed that future space probes carry devices that can determine the concentration of the protons and electrons separately, or else the concentration of the protons and of the excess charges per unit volume of plasma, and a device for measuring ambient electrostatic fields ranging from 10 to 1000 v/cm. (H.M.G.)

Generation of electromagnetic signals at combination frequencies in the ionosphere

Abstract: A survey of experimental research is given on the low-frequency electromagnetic radiation generated in the lower ionosphere during intense modulated radio-frequency radiation acting on the ionospheric current systems. A description is given for the methods, techniques, and results of the experiments conducted at the mid-latitude heating facility near Gor'kii. At a qualitative level, a theory is discussed on combination frequency signal (CFS) generation and the primary experimental data is explained on this basis. The paper presents the results of recent experiments in CFS generation in conditions of gyroresonant heating and during the formation of an ionospheric source of the traveling wave type. The potentials are discussed for using the measurements of the CFS characteristics for studying the earth-ionosphere waveguide parameters and for creating new diagnostics for the processes in the mesosphere.