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Theoretical investigation of the coupling and propagation of ionospheric elf/vlf radiation into the earth-ionosphere waveguide

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:7168625
This document describes a theoretical investigation of the propagation of extremely low frequency/very low frequency ELF/VLF, 1-5 kHz radiation from a source located in the D and lower E regions (60-85 km) of the ionosphere to a remote receiving site on the surface of the earth. It provides theoretical support for analyzing results of past experiments and planning future experiments to create an ELF/VLF communication system using high frequency heating modification of ionospheric currents. Analysis of the HF antenna array at the Arecibo Observatory determined that there was enough power in the sidelobes to modify the ionosphere, thereby creating an ELF/VLF source array. The ELF/VLF frequency response calculated for the ionospheric source array compared well with experimentally measured data. The coupling of radiation from ionospheric sources into the earth-ionosphere wave guide and the propagation of the radiation to receiving sites are investigated in detail using a model based on reciprocity.
Research Organization:
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA)
OSTI ID:
7168625
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English