LXXXV. The reflection of very low frequency radio waves at the surface of a sharply bounded ionosphere with superimposed magnetic field

Abstract

The paper discusses the theory of the reflection of very low frequency electromagnetic waves at the boundary of an ionized medium. The medium is assumed to be sharply bounded and homogeneous, and to have a steady magnetic field superimposed. The quasi-longitudinal approximation to the magneto-ionic theory is used (Booker 1935), and the reflection coefficients are then independent of the horizontal direction of the transmission path. The results of the theory are compared with the experimental observations of the propagation of very low frequency radio waves (Bracewell et al. 1951). It is concluded that the theory will account for the general form of some of the experimental results for the rrequencies of 16 kc./s. and above. It is likely to be most useful for extending the theory of the propagation of very low frequencies (10 kc./s. and lower) such as are used in the study of the propagation of radio-atmospherics (Gardner 1950, Bowe 1951, Budden 1951).