Moment Method Solutions for the Impedance of Asymmetrically Driven RF Probes in the Collisional Ionospheric Magnetoplasma

摘要

In order to ascertain the electron density in the earth's ionosphere by direct measurement a radio frequency (RF) impedance probe technique has proved useful. This technique involves monitoring the changes in impedance of an antenna mounted on a rocket or satellite vehicle traversing the inospheric regions of interest. The changes of antenna impedance can be related to the electron density of the surrounding plasma through use of suitable theoretical development of the antenna-plasma interaction. It is the purpose of this treatise to develop a more general expression for the impedance of an antenna in the ionosphere to be useful as an RF probe for measurement of electron density. The investigation of ionospheric plasma characteristics by means of such RF probes has received a great deal of attention since the advent of the rocket allowed direct measurements within the ionosphere.