Active stimulation of the ionospheric plasma

Laboratory experiments in which high power, pulsed electromagnetic waves interact with an inhomogeneous plasma indicate that the generated nonlinear plasma phenomena depend on peak incident power and not on pulse length. The electromagnetic waves can penetrate beyond the cutoff and produce large, enhanced electrostatic fields at the critical layer within 100 electron plasma periods. The enhanced electric field pressure can be comparable to the thermal pressure and can accelerate ions and electrons to velocities much greater than their thermal speed. Large density cavities (with δn/n ? 10%) can be created in a time shorter than the usual ion response time because of the accelerated ion dynamics. These laboratory results have been extended to create a new and generalized concept to actively stimulate space plasmas with high power pulses of short duration. A field experiment will be used for the stimulation of auroral ionospheric plasma. The ground-based system is modular, each module consisting of a 2 MW pulsed HF transmitter designed at UCLA and a crossed-dipole antenna element. Incoherent scatter radar and optical diagnostic methods are discussed.     

热流效应对场向电流确定的影响

给出了任意速度分布函数条件下复频率的介电函数和色散关系的求解方法. 讨论了16矩近似条件下, 场向热流对电子速度分布函数, 介电函数实部与虚部, 以及离子与电子谐振频率和阻尼率的影响, 并与平衡态时麦克斯韦分布等离子体的计算结果进行了比较. 忽略场向热流效应, 正向电子漂移速度条件下, 上行等离子线探测, 会过高估计场向电流; 负向电子漂移速度条件下, 上行等离子线探测会过低估计场向电流. 对上下行等离子线同时探测情况, 忽略热流效应同样会过高估计场向电流.      

Accuracy of IRI profiles of ionospheric density and temperatures derived from comparisons to Kharkov incoherent scatter radar measurements

The incoherent scatter radar (ISR) facility in Kharkov, Ukraine (49.6°N, 36.3°E) measures vertical profiles of electron density, electron and ion temperature, and ion composition of the ionospheric plasma up to 1100 km altitude. Acquired measurements constitute an accurate ionospheric reference dataset for validation of the variety of models and alternative measurement techniques. We describe preliminary results of comparing the Kharkov ISR profiles to the international reference ionosphere (IRI), an empirical model recognized for its reliable representation of the monthly-median climatology of the density and temperature profiles during quiet-time conditions, with certain extensions to the storm times. We limited our comparison to only quiet geomagnetic conditions during the autumnal equinoxes of 2007 and 2008. Overall, we observe good qualitative agreement between model and data both in time and with altitude. Magnitude-wise, the measured and modeled electron density and plasma temperatures profiles appear different. We discovered that representation accuracy improves significantly when IRI is driven by observed-averaged values of the solar activity index rather than their predictions. This result motivated us to study IRI performance throughout protracted solar minimum of the 24th cycle. The paper summarizes our observations and recommendations for optimal use of the IRI.     

An analysis of the topside ionosphere parameters based on the long-duration Irkutsk incoherent scatter radar measurements

The topside ionosphere parameters are studied based on the long-duration Irkutsk incoherent scatter radar (52.9N, 103.3E) measurements conducted in September 2005, June and December 2007. As a topside ionosphere parameter we chose the vertical scale height (VSH) related to the gradient of the electron density logarithm above the peak height. For morphological studies we used median electron density profiles. Besides the median behavior we also studied VSH disturbances (deviations from median values) during the magnetic storm of September 11th 2005. We compared the Irkutsk incoherent scatter radar data with the Millstone Hill and Arecibo incoherent scatter radar observations, the IRI-2007 prediction (using the two topside options) and VSH derived from the Irkutsk DPS-4 Digisonde bottomside measurements.     

Enhancement of VLF-ducts under the action of high power radio wave on the ionospheric F-region

Wave effects are discussed pointing to improvement of whistler propagation in the ionosphere illuminated by a powerful radio wave. The large scale irregularities (ducts) responsible for these effects are formed in the illuminated ionospheric region by the process of electron heating by the fields of the pump wave and excited plasma oscillations. These irregularities may also be created in the ionosphere and plasmasphere by fluxes of suprathermal electrons accelerated by the plasma turbulence in the reflection region of the pump wave.     

匹配滤波方法在非相干散射雷达测量空间碎片中的应用

利用2010年3月25日欧洲非相干散射雷达的常规电离层探测数据, 分析了实测数据中接收功率突变的现象. 高度发生在500 km以上的功率突变一般不是由于地球物理影响产生的, 而要归因于卫星或空间碎片. 采用匹配滤波方法实现了对空间碎片的探测和提取, 利用相干积累的方法提高了信噪比, 共获得363个碎片, 得到了碎片随高度和时间的分布. 结果表明, 碎片高度分布主要集中在800 km左右, 与欧洲非相干散射组织现有的碎片数据具有一致性.      

Analysis of the ionosphere/plasmasphere electron content variability during strong geomagnetic storm

The ionosphere/plasmasphere electron content (PEC) variations during strong geomagnetic storms in November 2004 were estimated by combining of mid-latitude Kharkov incoherent scatter radar observations and GPS TEC data derived from global TEC maps. The comparison between two independent measurements was performed by analysis of the height-temporal distribution for specific location corresponding to the mid-latitudes of Europe. The percentage contribution of PEC to GPS TEC indicated the clear dependence from the time with maximal values (more than 70%) during night-time. During day-time the lesser values (30–45%) were observed for quiet geomagnetic conditions and rather high values of the PEC contribution to GPS TEC (up to 90%) were observed during strong negative storm. These changes can be explained by the competing effects of electric fields and winds, which tend to raise the layer to the region with lower loss rate and movement of the ionospheric plasma to the plasmasphere.     

基于各向异性分布的非相干散射雷达谱仿真

基于离子在加热条件下呈现各向异性分布的假设,建立离子声波激发条件下非平衡态的三维离子速度分布函数模型,给出任意视线方向上非相干散射谱的计算方法,分析幅度修正因子、离子声速粒子组分、雷达波束方向与磁场方向夹角及温度各向异性对功率谱的影响.研究结果可以解释离子线谱超过一个量级的幅度增强现象和上行离子线强于下行离子线的不对称现象,对加热强扰动电离层条件下的等离子体参数反演具有重要意义.      

Factors influencing the heating of the auroral electrojet by high power radio waves

Results are presented from recent ionospheric modification experiments in which the EISCAT UHF radar measured the E-region temperature and density response to high power RF heating above Tromsø. A variety of electrojet conditions were encountered during these experiments. In particular, the electron drift velocity varied considerably allowing the heating efficiency of the RF heater to be investigated as a function of electron flow velocity. These observations constitute the first direct investigation of electrojet temperature modifications by high power radio waves and provide a test of a recent theoretical model in which the combined effects of RF heating and of natural plasma turbulence associated with the Farley-Buneman instability have been considered.     

A realistic simulation framework to evaluate ionospheric tomography

Observation of the 3-dimensional (3-D) electron density of the ionosphere is useful to study large-scale physical processes in space weather events. Ionospheric data assimilation and ionospheric tomography are methods that can create an image of the 3-D electron density distribution. While multiple techniques have been developed over the past 30 years, there are relatively few studies that show the accuracy of the algorithms. This paper outlines a novel simulation approach to test the quality of an ionospheric tomographic inversion. The approach uses observations from incoherent scatter radar (ISR) scans and extrapolates them spatially to create a realistic ionospheric representation. A set of total electron content (TEC) measurements can then be simulated using real geometries from satellites and ground receivers. This data set, for which the ‘truth’ ionosphere is known, is used as input for a tomographic inversion algorithm to estimate the spatial distribution of electron density. The reconstructed ionospheric maps are compared with the truth ionosphere to calculate the difference between the images and the truth.To demonstrate the effectiveness of this simulation framework, an inversion algorithm called MIDAS (Multi-Instrument Data Analysis Software) is evaluated for three geographic regions with differing receiver networks. The results show the importance of the distribution and density of GPS receivers and the use of a realistic prior conditioning of the vertical electron density profile. This paper demonstrates that when these requirements are met, MIDAS can reliably estimate the ionospheric electron density. When the region under study is well covered by GPS receivers, as in mainland Europe or North America, the errors in vertical total electron content (vTEC) are smaller than 1 TECu (2–4%) . In regions with fewer and more sparsely distributed receivers, the errors can be as high as 20–40%. This is caused by poor data coverage and poor spatial resolution of the reconstruction, which has an important effect on the calibration process of the algorithm.     

三站雷达测量OSCAR-3卫星散射截面

在中国首次使用欧洲非相干散射雷达三站系统研究空间碎片.以美国OSCAR-3报废业余通信卫星的三站雷达探测散射截面为例,采用欧洲非相干散射雷达三站标准电离层实验模式,分析三站雷达目标散射截面的差异性.比较三站雷达的探测结果表明,Sodanky站雷达散射截面比Tromso站散射截面精度提高5倍;按照中国科学院国家天文台预报理论模型轨道计算,通过理论方向图修正雷达散射截面后,在不知道美国太空监测网所公布的数值时,Tromso站雷达散射截面具有参考价值.计算结果证实三站雷达能提供较为准确的雷达散射截面.      

Relationship between electron density and electron temperature as a function of solar activity

This paper attempts to examine the control of electron density and solar activity on the F-region electron temperature. This is achieved by obtaining coefficients relating electron temperature with electron density and solar activity by using incoherent scatter radar measurements at Arecibo for the period August 1966 to May 1977. These coefficients are then used to construct an empirical model of F-region electron temperature. The model values are compared with measurements at other locations and show reasonable agreement.     

Ionospheric electron density over Resolute Bay according to E-CHAIM model and RISR radar measurements

In this study, predictions of the E-CHAIM ionospheric model are compared with measurements by the incoherent scatter radars RISR at Resolute Bay, Canada, in the northern polar cap. Reasonable coverage was available for all seasons except winter for which no conclusions were drawn. It is shown that ratios of the model-to measured electron densities are close to unity in the central part of the F layer, around its peak. This is particularly evident for summer daytime. Distributions of the ratios are wider for other seasons indicating larger number of cases when the model underestimates or overestimates. E-CHAIM underestimates the electron density at ionospheric topside and bottomside by ～ 10–20 %. At the bottomside, the underestimations are strongest in summer and equinoctial nighttime. At the topside, the underestimations are strongest in autumn nighttime. Model overestimations are noticeable in the middle part of the F layer during dawn hours in autumn. Overall, the model tends to not predict highest-observed peak electron densities and the largest-observed heights of the peak.     

Energetic electrons in solar flares as viewed in X-rays

Hard X-ray observations provide the most direct diagnostic we have of the suprathermal electrons and the hottest thermal plasma present in solar flares. The Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) is obtaining the most comprehensive observations of individual solar flares ever available in hard X-rays. For the first time, high-resolution spectra are available for a large number of flares that accurately display the spectral shape and its evolution and, in many cases, allow us to identify the transition from the bremsstrahlung X-rays produced by suprathermal electrons to the bremsstrahlung at lower energies emitted by thermal plasma. Also, for the first time, images can be produced in arbitrary energy bands above 3–4 keV, and spectra of distinct imaged components can be obtained.I review what we have learned from RHESSI observations about flare suprathermal electron distributions and their evolution. Next, I present computations of the energy deposited by these suprathermal electrons in individual flares and compare this with the energy contained in the hot thermal plasma. I point out unsolved problems in deducing both suprathermal electron distributions and the energy content of the thermal plasma, and discuss possible solutions. Finally, I present evidence that electron acceleration is associated with magnetic reconnection in the corona.     

Case studies of height structure of TID propagation characteristics using cross-correlation analysis of incoherent scatter radar and DPS-4 ionosonde data

The height structure of TID characteristics is studied on the base of the electron density profiles measured by two beams of the incoherent scatter radar and DPS-4 ionosonde. The height profiles of the TID propagation characteristics are obtained by means of cross-correlation and spectrum analysis of the radar and ionosonde data. The noticeable height variability of the TID parameters is observed. The variability is explained by interference of several TIDs. The obtained TID propagation characteristics are compared with known results of the TID studies.     

Origin and energetics of the Io plasma torus

The ionization of the gas ejections from the Io satellite into the Jovian magnetosphere by the corotating magnetospheric plasma flow is considered. It is shown that the plasma flow velocity at the Io orbit exceeds the critical velocity at which the anomalous electron ionization of the heavy gas components takes place due to collisionless energy transfer from ionized gas atoms to plasma electrons. The energy, number density and spatial distribution of suprathermal electrons is calculated using the quasilinear theory of newly ionized atoms instability in a moving plasma. Saturation of the plasma density build up in a plasma is considered in terms of the instability quenching by Coulomb collisions.     

Incoherent-scatter measurements of E-F valley and comparisons with theoretical and empirical models

High resolution electron density measurements from Arecibo incoherent scatter (i.s.) radar are used to make a detailed study of the E-F valley. Features of the important valley parameters like height, width and depth are examined. These features are then compared with the available theoretical and empirical models. The depth of the valley obtained from the empirical models agrees with i.s. measurements for near-noon periods, but disagrees with these measurements for pre-noon and post-noon periods. Further, the i.s. measurements indicate that E-F valley is rather small during daytime as compared to models which give larger width. During the night, the valley is quite wide and deep but the presence of sporadic-E (Es) contaminates the Ne-h profiles observed with the i.s. radar. As a result the valley parameters cannot be determined unambiguously during the night.     

Topside models: Status and future improvements

This paper reviews the data base and empirical models that are available for the global representation of electron density in the topside ionosphere. Topside sounder and incoherent scatter measurements are the prime data sources. We assess their data volume and compatibility. Several empirical models are discussed (IRI, Bent, SLIM, and FAIM) and their specific characteristics and differences are pointed out. Global and temporal trends as predicted by these different models are compared and contrasted with measured results. Most models use vertical height rather than a field-aligned height coordinate, although it is well known that topside electrons are confined to moving along magnetic field lines. We examine several magnetic coordinate systems and evaluate their merits for empirical modelling.     

化学物质释放人工改变电离层

考虑中性气体在电离层高度的扩散过程和相应的电离层离子化学过程，研究了利用主动化学物质释放来改变电离层的方法，理论计算了H2O和SF6两种气体释放后电离层随时间的响应过程，结果表明，在电离层高度上气体的扩散过程非常迅速，电离层F区的电子密度有很大程度的减少，而扩散慢且化学反应快的气体对电离层的影响更大，就更加有利于电离层洞的形成。     

Validation of FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC radio occultation electron density profiles by incoherent scatter radar data

Low Earth Orbiting satellites carrying a dual frequency GPS receiver onboard offer a unique opportunity to remote sensing of the global ionosphere on a continuous basis. No other profiling technique unifies profiling through the entire F2-layer with global coverage. The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC data can make a positive impact on the global ionosphere study providing essential information about the height electron density distribution and particularly over regions that are not accessible with ground-based measuring instruments such as ionosondes and GPS dual frequency receivers. Therefore, it is important to verify occultation profiles with other techniques and to obtain experience in the reliability of their derivation. In the given study we present results of comparison of the electron density profiles derived from radio occultation measurements on-board FS-3/COSMIC and from the Kharkov incoherent scatter radar sounding.