Über ein Verfahren zur gleichzeitigen Bestimmung von Elektronenkonzentration und Elektronenstoßzahl in einem homogenen isotropen oder in einem langsam veränderlichen Plasma

Abstract

Abstract A method is described, which allows determination of the complex refractive index of a plasma by separate measurement of the E-and H-component of an electromagnetic wave. By means of the complex refractive index simultaneously electron concentration and electron collision frequency of the medium can be stated. The measuring frequency depends upon absorption, precision requirements, and - for a locally varying medium - upon the availability range of theory used. General considerations are applied to a plasma model (terrestrial ionosphere without magnetic field): Simultaneous measurement of electron concentration and electron collision frequency should be well possible within a height range corresponding to the terrestrial D-region. In higher regions determination of the (decreasing) electron collision frequency becomes more and more difficult, whereas possibilities for determination of the (increasing) electron concentration seem to improve. The influence of reflected waves is considered in a following paper 4.