Recombination in the lower ionosphere

The problem of recombination of electrons and ions in the lower ionosphere is studied both experimentally and theoretically. The experimental study involving, among others, the measurements on phase height, polarization, and absorption at 150 kc/sec, allows formulation of a tentative distribution of ionospheric recombination coefficient over the range of 60 to 110 km. On the basis of this model, the theories of recombination in the lower ionosphere are examined in detail. The problem of recombination during sudden ionospheric disturbances is also studied.