Electromagnetic waves and electrostatic oscillations in an inhomogeneous plasma structure at the geomagnetic equator

The measurements of the broadband wave radiation in the region of the geomagnetic equator in the topside ionosphere are presented (the APEX satellite experiment). It has been indicated that the electromagnetic radiation, observed in a plasma density pit, could be related to the formation of a large-scale plasma cavern in the vicinity of the geomagnetic equatorial surface. A large-scale plasma density pit could be formed in the region of heating during damping of plasma vortical structures and electrostatic oscillations, propagating across geomagnetic field lines and crossing the geomagnetic equatorial surface. Brightness of the electromagnetic radiation, observed at frequencies higher than the plasma eigenfrequencies and local plasma and/or upper hybrid frequencies, decreases with increasing eigenfrequencies.     

Electrostatic radiation of plasma in the upper ionosphere in the inhomogeneous geomagnetic field

It has been indicated that the spectrum of electrostatic waves in the ionospheric plasma depends on the geophysical conditions and solar wind parameters. The wave field measurements in the frequency band 0.1–10 MHz in the topside ionosphere were used to analyze the electrostatic instabilities of the plasma electron content (the APEX satellite experiment). A change of the sign of one magnetic field component at the geomagnetic equator can result in the formation of the large-scale irregular plasma structure with a decay of the natural electrostatic oscillations and vortices in unstable plasma. The plasma particle polarization drift from the region of decay of electrostatic oscillations and vortices can cause large plasma density and temperature gradients across the geomagnetic field. New vortices can originate at these gradients. This mechanism of plasma vortex formation and decay can be important for mass and energy convection in the topside ionosphere.     

Electromagnetic waves in the auroral and subauroral regions of the topside ionosphere

The density and temperature of the plasma electron component and wave emission intensity in the topside ionosphere were measured by the INTERCOSMOS-19 satellite. In the subauroral ionosphere, a decrease in the plasma density correlates with an increase in the plasma electron component temperature. In this case, the additional increase in the electron component temperature was measured in regions with increased plasma density gradients during the substorm recovery phase. In a linear approximation, the electromagnetic wave growth increments are small on electron fluxes precipitating in the auroral zone. It has been indicated that Bernstein electromagnetic waves propagating in the subauroral topside ionosphere can intensify in regions with increased plasma density gradients on electron fluxes orthogonal to the geomagnetic field, which are formed when plasma is heated by decaying electrostatic oscillations of the plasma electron component. This can be one of the most important factors responsible for the intensification of auroral kilometric radiation.     

Particle energy fluxes in an unstable plasma with vortex structures in an inhomogeneous geomagnetic field in the topside ionosphere

Plasma inhomogeneities extending along geomagnetic field lines in the ionosphere and magnetosphere can have a vortex structure. Electromagnetic waves can propagate in plasma inhomogeneities in the waveguide channel mode. It has been indicated that energy and particle fluxes related to the development of small-scale electrostatic turbulence in a magnetized plasma with an unstable electron component promotes an increase in plasma density gradients in the walls of waveguide channels and an enhancement in plasma vortices. At low L shells in the region of the geomagnetic equator, the development of plasma electrostatic instability and the damping of drifting plasma vortices in the inhomogeneous geomagnetic field in the topside ionosphere can be the main mechanism by which large-scale (∼1000 km) regions with a decreased plasma density are formed.     

Wave emission during a plasma density jump in the auroral zone of the topside ionosphere according to the APEX satellite data

The intensity of the wave emission in the 0.1–10 MHz band measured in the ionosphere (the APEX satellite experiment) has been presented. A jump of the plasma density and an increase in the emission intensity at a plasma frequency have been registered at altitudes of ～1300 km in the topside auroral ionosphere. The emission intensity in the whistler-mode band nonmonotonically increased along the satellite trajectory near the plasma jump wall. It has been indicated that waveguides could be formed near the wall during damping of electrostatic oscillations generated by precipitating electron fluxes. A spatially nonmonotonous separation of waveguides from the plasma inhomogeneity stretched along geomagnetic field lines is possible in this case.     

Plasma wave radiation in the main ionospheric trough in the region of the terminator from the APEX satellite data

The data of measurements of broadband wave radiation in the main ionospheric trough in the subauroral zone of the topside ionosphere in the region of the day-night terminator (APEX satellite experiment) are presented. It is shown that the observed attenuation of electrostatic radiation in a broad frequency band and fluctuations (variations) in the cutoff frequency of the electrostatic mode spectrum at the level of the local plasma or upper hybrid frequency are related to plasma heating by damping electrostatic oscillations in the ionospheric trough. Waveguide channels for propagation of electromagnetic whistler-mode waves observed on the satellite can be generated during the propagation of a gravity-thermal disturbance from the terminator.     

磁暴期间高纬顶部电离层离子上行特征——DMSP卫星观测

本文利用DMSP F13和F15卫星观测数据,对2001—2005年58个磁暴(-472 nT≤Min.Dst≤-71 nT)期间高纬顶部电离层离子整体上行特征进行了统计研究.观测表明,磁暴期间,顶部电离层离子上行主要发生在极尖区和夜间极光椭圆区.在北半球,磁正午前,高速的离子上行(≥500 m·s^-1)多集中在65° MLat以上;午后,高速离子上行区向低纬度扩展,上行速度要略高于午前;在南半球,磁午夜前,DMSP卫星在考察区域内几乎所有的纬度上都观测到了高速上行的离子;午夜后,各纬度上观测到上行离子的速度明显降低.离子上行期间,DMSP卫星在极区顶部电离层高度上也频繁地观测到电子/离子增温,且电子增温发生的频率要远高于离子增温.O⁺密度变化分析显示,DMSP卫星磁暴期间观测到的上行离子更多地源于顶部电离层高度.这些结果表明电子增温在驱动暴时电离层离子整体上行过程中起着重要作用.     

顶部电离层电子密度和温度的统计背景及其地磁活动变化

通过对DEMETER卫星从2004年11月7日至2005年11月30日期间探测到的710 km高度顶部电离层的电子数据进行网格化(纬度2°×经度4°)统计平均,本文分析了不同地磁条件下顶部电离层电子密度和温度的全球分布情况.不论是在地磁宁静还是地磁活动期间,顶部电离层电子密度的分布都存在着一个巨大的威德尔海异常(夜间电...     

Irregularities in unstable plasma of the upper atmosphere according to the data of sounding on board the Intercosmos-19 satellite

The profiles of the plasma density in the topside ionosphere, according to the data of sounding on board the Intercosmos-19 satellite, are presented. It is shown that the large-scale fluctuations of the plasma density can be related to the propagation and attenuation of the atmospheric waves (e.g., acoustic gravity waves) in the dynamo region of the ionosphere. In the topside ionosphere, suprathermal particle fluxes can be formed and the plasma density can be modulated at an attenuation of small-scale electrostatic fluctuations of the plasma electron component in plasma pits. Plasma vortices can be formed when polarization fluxes of charged particles escape from regions of heating. The vortex field imparts stability to the inhomogeneous plasma structure, necessary for experimental detection of this structure.     

Unstable plasma irregular structures in the topside ionosphere and spread-<Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>

The results of the Cosmos-900 satellite observ ations of plasma density inhomogeneities in the geomagnetic equator region and the longitudinal distributions of the equatorial spread-F, according to the Intercosmos-19 satellite data are presented. It is show n that the dependence of radiosignal propagation in the ionosphere on geophysical parameters is related to development of the electrostatic instability of the inhomo-geneous ionospheric plasma. The longitudinal dependence of the spread-F, can reflect the influence of the energetic sources, located outside the ionospheric layer that scatters a radio pulse, on the ionosphere. The manifestation of the longitudinal effect in the equatorial spread-F, in the Atlantic region can be explained by the influence of the cone instability on the plasma electrodynamics in the South Atlantic geomagnetic anomaly.     

不同方位甚低频电磁波衰减的初步研究*

利用2005—2010年DEMETER卫星记录NWC发射站的19.8kHz电场功率谱数据,采用统计和线性拟合等方法,研究了NWC站发射的电磁波在顶部电离层及磁共轭区激发的电场效应及其在不同方位的衰减特性。结果发现:(1)在NWC发射站上空,卫星记录电场呈椭圆状扩散分布,电场最强中心点位置相对地面人工源位置有一定偏移;(2)研究区上空电场北部衰减梯度最小,东部衰减梯度最大;(3)在其磁共轭区,南部电场衰减梯度最小,北部衰减梯度最大。综合分析认为人工源(NWC)发射的VLF电磁波传播到电离层高度后,受地磁场影响,电磁波主要沿磁力线方向传播,空间电场最强中心点位置相对发射站的位置发生偏移,向磁赤道方向倾斜,而且偏于磁赤道方向的电场衰减梯度最小。     

Interaction between plasma structures in an unstable ionospheric plasma

A vortex structure renders additional stability to plasma irregularities stretched along magnetic field lines. Plasma irregularities extended over several tens of kilometers are registered with rocket and satellite equipment in the topside ionosphere. The registered scale of irregularities depends on the spatial and time resolution of the equipment used. Irregular structures were registered in the ionosphere during experiments with barium clouds and jets, when a plasma irregularity separated into strata extended over several meters and several kilometers across the geomagnetic field. It has been indicated that plasma vortices can be generated in an unstable plasma in a situation when its quasi-neutrality is disturbed. Local geomagnetic field disturbances will be caused by the appearance of a proper vortex magnetic field. Plasma vortices can interact in an inhomogeneous plasma with an unstable electron component. Such interactions are related to the transformation of the phase volume of free electrostatic oscillations in the frequency-wave vector space.     

火星电离层电子浓度昼夜变化特性研究

本文利用MAVEN卫星Langmuir Probe and Waves（LPW）仪器的在轨电子浓度探测数据,研究了火星电离层电子浓度随太阳天顶角（Solar Zenith Angle,SZA）的变化以及昼夜电子浓度变化的异同.基于2014年至2017年期间MAVEN的电子浓度数据,我们发现：在200 km以下,白天电离层电子浓度主要受光化学平衡控制,由于白天光电离过程使得昼夜电子浓度差异较大,此时电离层昼夜传输能影响到的最大范围约在SZA=110°;而在200 km以上,白天电离层受输运过程控制,此时昼夜电子浓度差别较小,电离层昼夜间电子浓度变化较为缓慢.通过研究MAVEN在deep-dip（低高度深入探测）期间的电子浓度数据,我们发现火星磁场会显著影响夜间200 km以下的电子浓度分布结构,强磁场中闭合磁力线对电子沉降过程的阻碍作用使得在夜间该区域的电子浓度小于相邻区域.同时,通过比较deep-dip期间昼夜电子浓度随高度的变化,发现夜间电子沉降作用的影响可能主要集中在160 km以下.     

Mechanisms of the electron density depletion in the SAR arc region

This study compares the measurements of electron density and temperature and the integral airglow intensity at 630 nm in the SAR arc region and slightly south of this (obtained by the Isis 2 spacecraft during the 18 December 1971 magnetic storm), with the model results obtained using the time dependent one-dimensional mathematical model of the Earth’s ionosphere and plasmasphere. The explicit expression in the third Enskog approximation for the electron thermal conductivity coefficient in the multicomponent mixture of ionized gases and a simplified calculation method for this coefficient presents an opportunity to calculate more exactly the electron temperature and density and 630 nm emission within SAR arc region are used in the model. Collisions between N₂ and hot thermal electrons in the SAR arc region produce vibrationally excited nitrogen molecules. It appears that the loss rate of O⁺(⁴S) due to reactions with the vibrationally excited nitrogen is enough to explain electron density depression by a factor of two at F-region heights and the topside ionosphere density variations within the SAR arc if the erosion of plasma within geomagnetic field tubes, during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm and subsequent filling of geomagnetic tubes during the recovery phase, are considered. To explain the disagreement by a factor 1.5 between the observed and modeled SAR arc electron densities an additional plasma drift velocity \sim-30 m s⁻¹ in the ion continuity equations is needed during the recovery phase. This additional plasma drift velocity is likely caused by the transition from convecting to corotating flux tubes on the equatorward wall of the trough. The electron densities and temperatures and 630 nm integral intensity at the SAR arc and slightly south of this region as measured for the 18 December 1971 magnetic storm were correctly described by the model without perpendicular electric fields. Within this model framework the effect of the perpendicular electric field \sim100 mv m⁻¹ with a duration \sim1 h on the SAR arc electron density profiles was found to be large. However, this effect is small if \sim1-2 h have passed after the electric field was set equal to zero.     

利用卫星和GPS观测研究低纬局部等离子体浓度增强现象

本文同时利用DMSP、ROCSAT-1卫星数据和地基的GPS观测数据,研究一种与低纬等离子体泡相伴随的局部等离子体浓度增强现象.地基GPS的观测表明电离层总电子含量(TEC)也能反映这种等离子体浓度增强.通过4个观测事例的详细分析表明:这种等离子体浓度增强主要出现在磁纬±10°～±20°的局部区域,有时在近磁赤道区和中纬地区的电离层顶部也能观测到;与等离子体泡的出现规律相似,这种等离子体浓度增强主要出现在地方时21∶00以后,并在午夜后也能观测到.当等离子体浓度增强和等离子体泡发生时,在午夜前一般对应着背景垂直速度明显向上的扰动,在午夜后一般处于等离子体垂直速度下降至反向前的时间段,表明东向电场对于低纬不规则体的产生有非常重要的作用.     

从空间飞行器注入电离层的调制电子束产生的电磁波辐射

调制电子束入射进电离层等离子体中会激发电磁波辐射,根据不同试验条件和等离子体状态,激发电磁波的机制也不一样.本文主要讨论半无界稀薄调制电子束沿地球磁场力线从空间飞行器入射到电离层等离子体产生的电磁波辐射,其相应的辐射机理是由于束的纵向约束而产生的电磁波辐射.理论分析和数值计算结果显示,在满足切伦柯夫（Cerenkov）共振条件时,哨声波前向辐射方向图有一个尖锐的峰值,且随着电子束弛豫长度的增加,辐射功率值也相应增大,表明可以通过对电子束的适当调制增强电子束激发的电磁波辐射强度.     

Observations and model calculations of an additional layer in the topside ionosphere above Fortaleza, Brazil

Calculations using the Sheffield University plasmasphere ionosphere model have shown that under certain conditions an additional layer can form in the low latitude topside ionosphere. This layer (the F3 layer) has subsequently been observed in ionograms recorded at Fortaleza in Brazil. It has not been observed in ionograms recorded at the neighbouring station São Luis. Model calculations have shown that the F3 layer is most likely to form in summer at Fortaleza due to a combination of the neutral wind and theE × B drift acting to raise the plasma. At the location of São Luis, almost on the geomagnetic equator, the neutral wind has a smaller vertical component so the F3 layer does not form.     

Field-aligned plasma diffusive fluxes in the topside ionosphere from radio occultation measurements by CHAMP

O⁺ field-aligned diffusive velocities and fluxes in the topside ionosphere have been calculated from electron density profiles retrieved from CHAMP radio occultation (RO) measurements. The velocities and fluxes from January 2002 to December 2003 at low- and mid-latitudes have been statistically analyzed. The results show that daytime diffusive fluxes changed gradually from downward to upward as altitude increases. The largest values of the upward diffusive fluxes and velocities occurred at around ±25° geomagnetic latitude. During solstices the plasma fluxes in the winter hemisphere were larger than those in the summer hemisphere.     

基于ZH-1卫星探测的太阳活动低年顶部电离层不规则结构的时空特征

利用ZH-1卫星2019、2020年的原位电子密度观测数据,对卫星观测范围,即地理纬度南北65°之间午夜后顶部电离层的不规则结构进行研究,得到如下结果.(1)午夜后顶部电离层不规则结构集中区主要分布在地磁赤道、中纬度以及较高纬度区,白天赤道异常峰值区为不规则结构的谷值区.(2)不同纬度区不规则结构随地理经度分布呈现出明...     

Disturbances of the topside ionosphere caused by typhoons

The measurements on board the Cosmos-1809 satellite of various parameters of the topside ionosphere plasma during more than ten typhoons in various regions are analyzed. It is shown that specific zones of increased pressure of the electron gas, electric field, and intense ion oscillations are formed during the intensification stage. In some cases the “typhoon eye” is formed over the tropical depression zone in the ionosphere, that is, the region with sharply decreased plasma density and pressure is observed a day and more prior to the moment when it happens in the atmosphere.