Gyro-interaction rocket experiments in the lower ionosphere / 3

Includes bibliographical references (p. 77-79).Two gyro-interaction rocket experiments were performed in the lower ionosphere. The basic experimental procedure consists in the radiation of periodic pulses of gyrofrequency energy from a transmitter within the rocket payload. With the use of this technique, rate coefficients for two processes were evaluated. With a strong gyrofrequency pulse the local electron density is increased. The rate of removal of these excess electrons, which is believed to be due to attachment, was determined in the range of 45 to 65 km. When the gyrofrequency pulse is weak, the disturbance is only a slight increase of electron energy. This increases the collision frequency and hence affects the absorption of the sensing wave. The rate of loss of excess electron energy was determined by this method. At altitudes above the sensing wave reflection level cross-modulation of plasma noise was detected. An RF probe, with which the frequency dependence of the real part of the input impedance of an antenna was detected, was included in one experiment to measure electron density and collision frequency. In addition the data confirms some of the theoretical implications of Balmain's work. The device was designated a real impedance probe. (Author)