
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Francey, JLA 
T1  - Ambipolar Diffusion in Meteor Trails
JF  - Australian Journal of Physics
JO  - Aust. J.  Phys.
Y1  - 1963
VL  - 16
IS  - 4
SP  - 500
EP  - 506
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/PH630500 
N2  - Ambipolar diffusion and the formulation of the equations of continuity for a diffusing cloud of electrons and ions are briefly discussed. A numerical method for the solution of the equations is outlined and the solutions are presented in graphical form. The results indicate that, for concentrations higher than a critical value, electrons and ions diffuse at the same rate and that the major part of the radio echo from a meteor trail will occur under conditions of ambipolar diffusion. However, a sheath of electrons is to be expected surrounding the diffusing cloud. The ratio mobility: diffusion coefficient is shown to be an important parameter in controlling the transition from ambipolar to free diffusion. 
ER  -

