Abstract
THE conditions for the reflection of radio waves from the ionosphere are generally obtained by putting 2 = 0. But it is more correct, as was pointed out by Appleton1, to obtain this condition by finding out when the group velocity vanishes. If we work out the conditions for the vanishing of the group velocity, neglecting friction, we find certain unexpected results. While for the ordinary wave there is only one condition of reflection given by (where p is pulsatance and p02 = 4Ne2/m), the conditions for the extraordinary wave are found to be as follow: where pH = eH/mc, PT = eHT/mc, when we are using short waves. The first and second of these are those usually obtained for the extraordinary wave reflection. It is usually supposed that (2a) is the only one obtained, as (2b) is supposed to penetrate and to be absorbed. Toshniwal2 was the first to observe and interpret the reflection corresponding to (2b). This has also been recently confirmed by Leiv Harang3 working at Tromsø. The third is a new one and has not been so far reported.
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References
Appleton, NATURE, 122, 879 (1928).
Toshniwal, NATURE, 135, 437 (1935).
Leiv Harang, Terr. Mag., June 1936.
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RAI, R. Reflection from the Ionosphere. Nature 139, 115 (1937). https://doi.org/10.1038/139115b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/139115b0
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