Diagnostics of the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere at E-region heights using artificial periodic inhomogeneities

An overview of studies of the ionospheric E-region using artificial periodic inhomogeneities (API) is presented. Generation of the electron density API is considered theoretically. Methods of measurements of the electron density profile and neutral atmosphere temperature, density and vertical velocity are outlined and illustrated by experimental results. Some suggestions concerning investigations of the atmospheric turbulence using API are presented. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.