The reflection of electromagnetic waves by a conducting surface shielded with a plasma layer

The reflection coefficient is calculated for electromagnetic waves incident normally on a flat perfect conductor shielded with a plasma. The profile of the plasma layer is determined by recombination. Two models of plasma decay are studied: an exponential profile corresponding to the first-order recombination (proportional to the plasma density), and an incorporation of the recombination process which is proportional to the density squared. Though the generation of a plasma with a high electric conductivity looks quite possible, the character of plasma decay in the second (more realistic) model is such that a plasma layer in the troposphere would not provide a strong damping of reflected electromagnetic waves.