Laboratory simulation of the injection of energetic electron beams into the ionosphere—Ignition of the beam plasma discharge

Experiments, which somewhat simulate the injection of monoenergetic (several keV) electron beams into the ionosphere, have been performed in the very large (17 m × 26 m) vacuum chamber at Johnson Space Center. Typical operating ranges were: Beam current, I (0–130 mA), beam energy, E (0.5–3 kV), magnetic field, (0.3–2 G), path length, L (10–20 m), and injection pitch angle, α(0–80°). Measurements were carried out in both steady state and pulsed modes. In steady state and for constant V, B, p, L, α, the beam plasma discharge (BPD) is abruptly ignited when the beam current is increased above a critical value; at currents below critical, the beam configuration appears grossly consistent with single particle behavior. If it is assumed that each of the experiment parameters can be varied independently, the critical current required for ignition obeys the empirical relationship at p < 2 × 10^?5 torr:

$\text{I}\textcolor{red}{}\text{E}{}^{\mathrm{3/2}}\text{B}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>0.7</mtext><mtext>pL</mtext>}}$

The BPD is characterized by 1) a large increase in the plasma production rate manifested in corresponding increases in the 3914 Å light intensity and plasma density, 2) intense wave emissions in a broad band centered at the plasma frequency and a second band extending from a few kHz up to the electron cyclotron frequency, 3) scattering of the beam in velocity space and 4) radial expansion and pitch angle scattering of the primary beam leading to the disappearance of single particle trajectory features.Measurements of the BPD critical current have been carried out with an ion thruster (Kaufman engine) to provide a background plasma, and these indicate that the presence of an ambient plasma of typical ionospheric densities has little effect on the critical current relation.Measurements of wave amplitudes over a large frequency range show that the amplitude of waves near the plasma and electron cyclotron frequencies are too small to cause or sustain BPD, and that the important instabilities are at much lower frequency (～ 3 kHz in these measurements).     

Acceleration theory for 5–40 keV ions at interplanetary shocks

Power-law spectra f(E)∝E^?2.7 of < 40 keV suprathermal ions within ～10⁷ km of propagating interplanetary shocks are explained by diffusive scattering near a plane shock. The theory fits the 25 November 1977 event with a mean free path perpendicular to the shock with is 0.01 AU in front of the shock and less than .0003 AU behind it, for 1 keV ions. The theory predicts a steepening spectrum at higher energies, of the form $\text{f(v)∝v}{}^{\mathrm{?4}}\text{exp(??λdv/ur)}\text{where}\text{u = (ΔV)}{}^2\text{/2V}{}_{\mathrm{W}}$ depends on the plasma velocity jump ΔV and the plasma speed V_W and mean free path λ in front of the shock     

Wave and plasma measurements on the Vega-1 and Vega-2 spacecraft in the environment of comet Halley

The Vega-1 and Vega-2 wave and plasma measurements performed on 6 and 9 March 1986 in the environment of comet Halley present similar characteristics. Field spectral intensity of up to $\text{5}\text{mVm}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}\text{Hz}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{1}\text{2}$ at 300 Hz is measured at closest approach; enhanced signals are detected in the whistler mode and in the vicinity of the lower hybrid resonance frequency within respective average distances of 130,000 km and 60,000 km from the nucleus. The plasma density rises from 100 cm^?3 at 200,000 km up to 3000 cm^?3 at 25,000 km. The spacecraft potential is of the order of +3 V beyond a distance of 200,000 km and decreases to about +0.5 V at 8,000 km.     

Electron beam experiments in Japanese satellites and rockets

Electron beam experiments in space that have been done and planned in Japan are reviewed. 200eV, 1mA electron beam is emitted from a satellite and several types of wave excitation such as UHF and ω_ce have been observed. The satellite potential and the energy spectrum of returning electrons are measured by Langmuir probes and electrostatic energy analyser. In rocket experiments of K-10-11, K-10-12, K-9M-57, K-9M-58, K-9M-61 and K-9M-66, several types of electron guns were used whose power ranges from 1mW to 1KW. The rocket potential was measured by Langmuir probes and floating probes and optical line emission measurement and wave measurements were also done. The rocket potential was not so high as expected from the balance with ionospheric plasma but strongly affected by the plasma production by the emitted electron beam and return electrons.     

Intercomparisons of temperature,density and wind measurements from in situ and satellite techniques

Intercomparisons between satellite retrieved temperatures (TIROS N series) and those derived from radiosonde and rocketsonde profiles have been made covering the years 1980–1984. Differences in the measurement parameters between 100 and 0.4 mbar (～16–55 km) are described; generally radiosonde/satellite differences are less than 1°K, while rocketsonde/satellite differences reach 7–8°K in the upper stratosphere. Comparisons between the various $\text{in situ}$ devices indicate that radiosonde/rocketsonde differrences are less than 1°K while precision studies of the rocketsonde instrument find that the rocketsonde measurements are internally consistent to less than 1°K up to 50 km and to less than 3°K to 60 km. Density data obtained with the small rocketsondes ($\text{in situ}$ thermistors and inflatable spheres) and with the large sounding rocket systems show that density measurements usually agree to within 15 percent up to 85 km. Comparisons of the various atmospheric parameters obtained from different instruments are important, however the usefulness of intermixing the measurements is obvious and increased emphasis should be placed on procedures for intermingling such data. Suggestions are made on how this might be accomplished.     

Rocket observations of the atomic and molecular oxygen emissions in the equatorial region

A Brazilian sounding rocket, SONDA III, with two airglow photometers and two ionospheric electron density probes, was launched successfully from Natal (5.8°S, 35.2°W), Brazil, on December 11, 1985, at 23:30 GMT. The observed height profiles of the atomic oxygen OI 5577Å and molecular oxygen Atmospheric (0,0) band at 7619Å emissions are discussed. This is the first simultaneous measurement of these emissions in the equatorial region. A preliminary analysis shows that the two emissions have peak emission heights located between 95 and 96 km, and their half widths are about 6 km. The O₂A 7619Å emission peak, however, is located slightly lower, less than 1 km, than that of the OI 5577Å emission.     

Detection of suprathermal ionospheric O+ ions inside the plasmasphere

The plasma diagnostic experiments on the AUREOL-3 satellite have revealed flows of low energy 0⁺ ions deep inside the night plasmasphere during a large substorm. Flux gradients of the 0⁺ ions were accompanied by enhancements of ELF electric field noise. The appearance of suprathermal ions at $\text{L ? 2.5 – 3}$ is interpreted within the framework of electrostatic ion-cyclotron acceleration of ionospheric ions in the diffuse auroral zone /12/ followed by a radial displacement of these ions inside the plasmasphere driven by azimuthal electric fields during substorm activity. Electrostatic oscillations observed inside the plasmasphere are apparently associated with gradient instability at the sharp boundaries of suprathermal ion flows.     

Temperature measurements during the CAMP program

The Cold Arctic Mesopause Program (CAMP) was conducted at ESRANGE, Sweden, in July/August 1982. During the time period of several weeks, the temperature was monitored by ground-based OH emission spectrometers and by stellite radiance measurements. Rocket launchings occurred on the nights of $\text{3}\text{4}$ and $\text{11}\text{12}$ August. On $\text{3}\text{4}$ August, seven rocket payloads were launched during a period of noctilucent cloud sighting over ESRANGE. The presence of the NLC was confirmed by several rocket-borne photometer profiles. The temperature measurements showed that the temperature profiles in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere were near the expected values of high latitude summer models. A large amplitude wave structure with three temperature minima of 139K, 114K and 111K were observed at altitudes between 83 and 94 km. The temperature minimum at 83 km was the location of the observed NLC. The temperature minima caused by the growth of the gravity wave amplitude in the highly stable mesosphere provide the regions for the growth of particles by nucleation to optical scattering size, as well as regions where the nuclei for condensation can be formed through ion chemistry paths.     

Response of low latitude D-region ionosphere to the total solar eclipse of 22 July 2009 deduced from ELF/VLF analysis

Response of the D-region of the ionosphere to the total solar eclipse of 22 July 2009 at low latitude, Varanasi (Geog. lat., 25.27° N; Geog. long., 82.98° E; Geomag. lat. = 14° 55’ N) was investigated using ELF/VLF radio signal. Tweeks, a naturally occurring VLF signal and radio signals from various VLF navigational transmitters are first time used simultaneously to study the effect of total solar eclipse (TSE). Tweeks occurrence is a nighttime phenomena but the obscuration of solar disc during TSE in early morning leads to tweek occurrence. The changes in D-region ionospheric VLF reflection heights (h) and electron density (n_e: 22.6–24.6 cm⁻³) during eclipse have been estimated from tweek analysis. The reflection height increased from ∼89 km from the first occurrence of tweek to about ∼93 km at the totality and then decreased to ∼88 km at the end of the eclipse, suggesting significant increase in tweek reflection height of about 5.5 km during the eclipse. The reflection heights at the time of totality during TSE are found to be less by 2–3 km as compared to the usual nighttime tweek reflection heights. This is due to partial nighttime condition created by TSE. A significant increase of 3 dB in the strength of the amplitude of VLF signal of 22.2 kHz transmitted from JJI-Japan is observed around the time of the total solar eclipse (TSE) as compared to a normal day. The modeled electron density height profile of the lower ionosphere depicts linear variation in the electron density with respect to solar radiation as observed by tweek analysis also. These low latitude ionospheric perturbations on the eclipse day are discussed and compared with other normal days.     

Ralicon anodes fabricated by electron beam lithography for image photon counting detectors

The Anger wedge and strip anode event location system developed for microchannel plate image photon detectors at the Space Sciences Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley, has been extended in the present work by the use of electron beam lithography (EBL). Computer-aided design methods have been used to develop several types of RALICON ($\text{R}$eadout $\text{A}$nodes of $\text{Lit}$hographic $\text{Con}$struction) for use in photon counting microchannel plate imaging detectors. These anodes are suitable for linear, two dimensional or radial position measurements and they incorporate novel design features made possible by the EBL fabrication technique which significantly extend their application relative to published wedge-strip anode designs.     

Magnetic flux ropes in the Venus ionosphere: In situ observations of force-free structures?

Force-free magnetic structures with cylindrical geometry appear under a variety of conditions in nature. Filamentary helical magnetic structures are observed to be associated with prominences and flares in the solar atmosphere, and can arise in superconductors and laboratory plasmas. Another example of cylindrical quasi-force-free configurations appears to exist in the Venus ionosphere. Magnetic flux ropes with diameters of ～20 – 30 km have been observed by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter to be a nearly ubiquitous feature of the dayside Venus ionosphere. Models of flux ropes suggest that many of these structures tend to be quasi-force-free, i.e., $\text{J}$×$\text{B}$～0, while others are correlated with pressure variations in the ambient thermal plasma, $\text{J}$×$\text{B}$=-?(nkT).     

Mean winds of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (60–110 km): A global distribution from radar systems (MF,Meteor, VHF)

During the last decade a large number of radars (～12) have been developed, which have produced substantial quantities of tidally-corrected mean winds data. The distribution of the radars is not global, but many areas are well covered: the Americas with Poker Flat (65°N), Saskatoon (52°N), Durham (43°N), Atlanta (34°N), Puerto Rico (18°N); Europe with Kiruna (68°), Garchy (47°N) and Monpazier (44°N); and Oceania with Christchurch (44°S), Adelaide (35°S), Townsville (20°S), and Kyoto (35°N). Zonal and meridional wind height-time cross-sections from $\text{60}\text{80}$ km (MF/Meteor Radar) to ～110 km have been prepared for the last 5–6 years. They are compared with cross-sections from CIRA-72 for zonal winds, and Groves (1969) for meridional winds.It is shown that while CIRA-72 is still a useful model for many purposes, significant differences exist between it and the new radar data. The latter demonstrate important seasonal, latitudinal, longitudinal and hemispheric variations. The new meridional cross-sections are of great value. The common features with Groves (1969) are the equatorward cells in summer near 85 km; however their strength (～10 ms^?1) and size are less. Systematic and somewhat different variations emerge at higher (?52°N) and middle (35–44°) latitudes.     

Large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances of auroral origin according to the data of the GPS network and ionosondes

The intensity of large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LS TIDs), registered using measurements of total electron content (TEC) during the magnetic storms on October 29–31, 2003, and on November 7–11, 2004, had been compared with that of local electron density disturbances. The data of TEC measurements at ground-based GPS receivers located near the ionospheric stations and the corresponding values of the critical frequency of the ionospheric F region f_oF2 were used for this purpose. The variations of TEC and f_oF2 were similar for all events mentioned above. The previous assumption that the ionospheric region with vertical extension from 150 to 200 km located near the F-layer maximum mainly contributes to the TEC variations was confirmed for the cases when the electron density disturbance at the F region maximum was not more than 50%. However, this region probably becomes vertically more extended when the electron density disturbance in the ionospheric F region is about 85%.     

Evidence for mass-loading of the Venus magnetosheath

The observed magnetic field configuration in the Venus magnetosheath contains information about the solar wind mass-loading processes occurring as a result of the extension of the neutral atmosphere into the magnetosheath. In this paper, magnetic field signatures of various mass-loading processes are discussed and experimental results from the Pioneer Venus Orbiter magnetometer experiment are examined for evidence of these signatures. The data suggest that the ?$\text{V}$X$\text{B}$ acceleration process, stochastic pickup of ionospheric ions, and $\text{J}$X$\text{B}$ force “scavenging” at the ionopause all occur at various times.     

Interplanetary acceleration of low-energy protons as observed during the 25 september 1978 shock event

ISEE-3 observations of a long-lasting low-energy proton intensity increase during the 25 September 1978 shock event are presented as an example for interplanetary particle acceleration in association with shock waves. The observations are discussed in the light of current models for particle acceleration. The particular shape of the time intensity behaviour of the particle intensity increase, the existence of a shock spike and the observed particle distributions indicate that the particles are accelerated at the shock by the induced electric field $\text{E}\text{= ?}\text{1}\text{c}\text{V}\text{×}\text{B}$.     

Peculiarities of the environment disturbance during the electron beam injection from the rocket

The paper presents some results obtained when a beam of electrons (energy 2 to 3.5 keV, current 0.2 to 0.4A) was injected from aboard the rocket at 100 to 150 km.At the moments the beam was injected perturbations of the near-rocket region are observed with a cross-section of about 500 m, it is much larger than the region over which the injected beam is extended.The appearance of the above region can be explained by the interaction of accelerated ions with the surroundings; the ions are generated during the positive rocket charge neutralization owing to discharge mechanisms. It is confirmed by direct measurements of the rocket potential which is about 2 kV near the apogee.     

A model study of the negative chlorine ion chemistry in the Earth’s mesosphere

An ion chemistry model is used to investigate the negative chlorine ion chemistry of the mesosphere for quiet ionospheric conditions. Model results are presented for high latitudes in February as well as for the equator in Summer. For nighttime, Cl^-${\text{Cl}}^{-}$, Cl^-${\text{Cl}}^{-}$(HCl), and NO₃⁻(HCl) are the most abundant chlorine anions in the mesosphere. The concentration of ClO₃⁻ depends significantly on its stability against collision-induced dissociation. In contrast to previous model predictions, the abundance of Cl^-(_H2O)${\text{Cl}}^{-}({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O})$ is small. For daytime, photoelectron detachment and photodissociation have pronounced impact on the negative chlorine ion chemistry in the mesosphere. The abundance of all anion cluster is considerably smaller than at night. While Cl^-${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ decreases in the upper mesosphere, its abundance increases at lower altitudes.