Reflection coefficient by inhomogeneous ionized media having one peak electron density

A new and interesting simpler expression of the approximate reflection coefficient is derived. By using this simpler expression the effect of the peak electron density is shown clearly. The cumulate phase delay of the reflection coefficient from one peak profile versus frequency is discussed. The relationship between the phase delay characteristic of the reflection coefficient and the peak electron density is made clearly. The numerical results show that the turning frequency in the phase delay curve corresponds to the critical frequency f/sub c/ at the peak electron density. Therefore, the peak electron density N(z/sub 1/) and its height z/sub 1/ are obtained by analyzing the phase delay of the reflection coefficient versus frequency.