DEPARTMENT OF TERRESTRIAL MAGNETISM. 309 



(4) Ocemi atmospheric-electric observations. — The requisite examina- 

 tions were made of the data being obtained on the Carnegie and addi- 

 tional instructions for the ocean work (see p. 279) were prepared as 

 found necessary. 



(5) Miscellaneous. — In order to supply conducting quartz fibers for 

 the string electroscopes in use both at the laboratory and aboard the 

 Carnegie, and especially to secure such fibers of conductivity suitable 

 for use with the string galvanometer aboard the Carnegie, the matter 

 of production of conducting fibers by the method of cathodic sputtering 

 has received careful attention in the laboratory at Washington. An 

 improved form of sputtering tube was devised and considerable study 

 given to the technique and to various theoretical matters involved in 

 the work. The production of these fibers in our laboratory was begun 

 only after it was found to be impossible to secure suitable fibers from 

 commercial sources. Liquid air used in connection with the sputtering 

 of quartz fibers was kindly supplied by the Bureau of Standards. 



At the request of the Director, the feasibility of installing equip- 

 ment for earth-current and atmospheric-electric observations at the 

 Cheltenham Observatory of the Coast and Geodetic Survey was investi- 

 gated by .Messrs. Fleming and Mauchly. A visit was made to Chelten- 

 ham to study the local conditions and a joint report was submitted 

 concerning the entire subject. 



The Department has cooperated to a limited extent with the Radio 

 Laboratory of the Bureau of Standards in a study of the "swinging" of 

 radio signals on short w^ave-lengths. The extent of this cooperation 

 thus far has consisted in attendance by Messrs. Mauchly and Sterling 

 at two conferences for the discussion of problems and plans, and in 

 placing the Department's atmospheric-electric records at the disposal 

 of the Bureau for inspection and study. There is a possibility that 

 this cooperation may yield information of value in connection with 

 the study of the ionization of the atmosphere. 



In addition to his regular duties, the chief of the section, acting under 

 instructions from the Du-ector, assumed charge of the instrument shop, 

 buildings, and grounds, for the first four months of 1920, during the 

 absence of Mr. Fleming on official business in South America. 



For publication work, see abstracts, pages 320-321. 



Much valuable assistance was rendered for various periods by the 

 following members of the Department: G. R. Wait, assistant physicist; 

 Allen Sterling, observer; and C. M. Little, assistant observer. Mr. 

 W. F. Wallis, of the Magnetic Survey Division, also assisted at various 

 times. 



