Scattering of E. M. waves from dielectric density fluctuations

Abstract

Radars are used for remota probing of the upper atmosphere. Monstatic and bistatic configurations have been used. The echoes are obtained from the scattering of the illuminating wave by fluctuations in the dielectric propercies of the medium under study. The fluctuations in the local dielectric constant of a medium are direct consequence of fluctuations in the density of the medium or more properly on the density of that component or components in the medium responsable for its dielectric behaviour, e.g. electron density in a ionized gas, "air" density and water vapor in the lower atmosphere, etc.