On the effect of discontinuity in boundary gradient or in material properties on propagation of elastic waves

Summary The effect of surface irregularities in the form of boundary discontinuous gradients has been studied. It has been shown that certain waves will be attenuated due to passage through such irregularities in internal structure.     

Scattering of radio waves from the ionosphere in presence of time varying random irregularities

Summary In this paper the modified formula for scattering cross-section of radio waves from the ionosphere has been deduced in presence of time-varying random irregularities. The anisotropic behaviour of the medium which arises due to the presence of the geomagnetic field along with the time-varying irregularities of the medium has been considered. The derived expression for the dielectric tensor for the above medium has been utilised to obtain the required cross-section. The latitude, altitude, azimuth and polarisation angle dependence of scattering of radio waves from the ionosphere has been shown. The evaluated formula may be verified experimentally and the importance of the geomagnetic field and irregularities may then be analysed.     

Local enhancements in the horizontal distribution of the electron density at heights of the topside ionosphere near the dayside polar cap boundary

The structure of the electron density horizontal distribution at heights of the topside ionosphere in the Northern Hemisphere under quiet magnetic conditions in the polar peak region has been analyzed based on the measurements conducted on board the STSAT-1, DMSP F13, and DMSP F15 satellites during the period of moderate solar activity. The sector near 1000 MLT (magnetic local time) for the spring equinox season has been studied most thoroughly. It has been obtained that the polar peak consists of localized irregularities in the electron density of a specific form, inside which the electron density exceeds its background values by several tens of percent. The characteristic dimensions of the irregularities vary from a few degrees to several tens of degrees in the meridional and zonal directions, respectively. The irregularities are centered along the dayside boundary of the polar cap and coincide with the region of “soft” electron precipitation (with the average energy lower than 500 eV and with the flux density above 10⁷ electrons cm^?2 s^?1 sr^?1).     

On effective conductivity of the ionosphere with random irregularities

The influence of stochastic irregularities of the ionosphere on its effective conductivity has been estimated. The study was carried out for large scale inhomogeneities and quasistationary electromagnetic fields. It is found, that Pedersen conductivity sharply increases in a strong geomagnetic field even for small stochastic ionospheric irregularities of the electron density. This peculiarity has to be taken into account during analysis of ionospheric and magnetospheric measurements.     

Modification of electron concentration in the ionosphere in the pump-wave plasma resonance region

We discuss the propagation of sounding radio waves in the inhomogeneous ionosphere, in the reflection area of which there are small-scale artificial magnetically-positioned irregularities. The propagation of radio waves in such an area, where the lateral dimensions of strongly elongated artificial irregularities are smaller than the wavelength, has a diffraction nature. It is shown that the calculation of diffraction parameters makes it possible to derive the amplitude of density irregularities and their relative area perpendicular to the magnetic field direction. Comparison of theoretical calculations with experimental studies on modification of the electron density altitude profile by heating of the ionosphere with midlatitude stand Sura showed that the relative area of the negative density perturbations can reach several percent.     

Determining the parameters of the layer of scattering irregularities,forming coherent echo,according to the Irkutsk IS Radar data

The method for determining the parameters of the layer of scattering irregularities, form coherent echo, based on the Irkutsk Incoherent Scatter (IS) Radar data is presented. It has been indicted that the method has the necessary accuracy. The processing of experimental data for the periods of September 25–26, 1998, and July 15–16, 2000, indicated that our results are in good agreement with the data obtained by other researchers. The analysis of the experiments with a high time resolution made it possible to reveal the time variation in the determined parameters. The time variations in the layer thickness and height do not contradict the data obtained by other researchers, and the time variations in the angular sensitivity of irregularities has been observed for the first time and requires further studies.     

Variation of the ionospheric scintillation index with elevation angle of the transmitter

We have analyzed GPS data from 2007–2011 to determine the nature of variation of scintillation index with elevation of the direction of propagation at an observing point Warsaw, Poland, and Hornsund, Svalbard. To compare with the theory, the intensity scintillation index is simulated as a function of elevation angle, azimuth, magnetic field inclination, and shape of irregularities, using the phase screen model of scintillation as formulated by Rino (1979). Data analysis has been done for the seasonal as well as geomagnetic activity dependence of ionospheric scintillation. Scintillation index is a power-law function of the cosecant of the elevation angle. Results show that the power law strongly depends on the form of irregularities, being larger than in isotropic case for irregularities with dimension along the magnetic field direction smaller than those across the magnetic field. The present work also shows the need to use experimentally derived dependence on elevation.     

The role of natural E-region plasma turbulence in the enhanced absorption of HF radio waves in the auroral ionosphere:Implications for RF heating of the auroral electrojet

Physical processes which affect the absorption of radio waves passing through the auroral E-region when Farley-Buneman irregularities are present are examined. In particular, the question of whether or not it is legitimate to include the anomalous wave-enhanced collision frequency, which has been used successfully to account for the heating effects of Farley-Buneman waves in the auroral E-region, in the usual expression for the radio-wave absorption coefficient is addressed. Effects also considered are those due to wave coupling between electromagnetic waves and high-frequency electrostatic waves in the presence of Farley-Buneman irregularities. The implications for radio-wave heating of the auroral electrojet of these processes are also discussed. In particular, a new theoretical model for calculating the effects of high-power radio-wave heating on the electron temperature in an electrojet containing Farley-Buneman turbulence is presented.     

Equatorial field-aligned irregularities deduced from the echo-train and hybrid whistlers

Summary Equatorial field-aligned irregularities have been studied by using low-latitude echotrain and hybrid whistlers observed at Sakushima Station (geomag. lat. 24°). The structure is discussed in relation to the propagation mode trapped by field-aligned irregularities. We then find that the field-aligned irregularities responsible for the trapping of low latitude whistlers are of such small dimension as the HF ducts.     

Diagnosing the effective parameters of the ionospheric fine structure from statistical characteristics of radio waves in the vicinity of a regular caustic

This paper is concerned with the oblique propagation of decametric radio waves in the ionosphere with random electron density irregularities. Effective parameters are introduced for calculating the influence of irregularities on the wave field structure. A technique is proposed for determining these parameters from measurements of statistical characteristics of the signal in the vicinity of a regular caustic. The technique uses asymptotic expressions obtained using the interference integral method and perturbation theory, as well as matching them to the numerical solution on the basis of the method of characteristics. A global semi-empirical model that is updated for current ionospheric conditions is used to specify the background medium. The proposed technique has been tested using data from a number of mid-latitude paths. Results obtained in this study testify that the technique deserves a practical implementation.     

Determining dynamic parameters of different-scale ionospheric irregularities over northern Siberia

In 1995–1996, observations were carried out at Norilsk (geomagnetic latitude and longitude 64.2°N and 160.4°E) to determine dynamic parameters of irregularities in the high-latitude ionosphere. The short-baseline spaced-receiver method that has been implemented at the ionospheric facility of the Norilsk Integrated Magnetic–Ionospheric Station, provides a means of simultaneously measuring parameters of small-scale irregularities (spatial scale of 3–5 km) by the Similar-Fading Method (SFM), as well as of medium-scale irregularities (time scale of 10–30 min, spatial scale of hundreds of kilometres) by the Statistical Angle-of-arrival and Doppler Method (SADM). About 20 h of the observational data for the F2-layer under quiet geomagnetic conditions (K_p < 3), 20 h under disturbed conditions (K_p ≥ 3) and about 15 h for the sporadic E-layer (K_p ≈ 3) were processed. It has been found that the propagation directions and velocities of different-scale irregularities do not coincide. Small-scale irregularities of the F2-layer travel predominantly eastward or westward. The velocity of the F2-layer irregularities is about 100 m/s, and under disturbed conditions it is up to 200–250 m/s. Small-scale irregularities of the sporadic E-layer travel mostly in the northward direction. It is confirmed that the E_s-layer is characterised by high velocities of the irregularities (as high as 1000 m/s). Medium-scale irregularities with periods in the range of 10–30 min travel mostly in a southward direction with velocities of 20–40 m/s.     

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.     

Spatial observations by the CUTLASS coherent scatter radar of ionospheric modification by high power radio waves

Results are presented from an experimental campaign in April 1996, in which the new CUTLASS (Co-operative UK twin-located Auroral Sounding System) coherent scatter radar was employed to observe artificial field aligned irregularities (FAI) generated by the EISCAT (European Incoherent SCATter) heating facility at Tromso, Norway. The distribution of back-scatter intensity from within the heated region has been investigated both in azimuth and range with the Finland component of CUTLASS, and the first observations of artificial irregularities by the Iceland radar are also presented. The heated region has been measured to extend over a horizontal distance of 170 ± 50 km, which by comparison with a model of the heater beam pattern corresponds to a threshold electric field for FAI of between 0.1 and O.OlV/m. Differences between field-aligned and vertical propagation heating are also presented.     

Specification and forecasting of scintillations in communication/navigation links: current status and future plans

The ionosphere often becomes turbulent and develops electron density irregularities. These irregularities scatter radio waves to cause amplitude and phase scintillation and affect satellite communication and GPS navigation systems. The effects are most intense in the equatorial region, moderate at high latitudes and minimum at middle latitudes. The thermosphere and the ionosphere seem to internally control the generation of irregularities in the equatorial region and its forcing by solar transients is an additional modulating factor. On the other hand, the irregularity generation mechanisms in the high-latitude ionosphere seem to be driven by magnetospheric processes and, therefore, high-latitude scintillations can be tracked by following the trail of energy from the sun in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The development of a global specification and forecast system for scintillation is needed in view of our increased reliance on space-based communication and navigation systems, which are vulnerable to ionospheric scintillation. Such scintillation specification systems are being developed for the equatorial region. An equatorial satellite equipped with an appropriate suite of sensors, capable of detecting ionospheric irregularities and tracking the drivers that control the formation of ionospheric irregularities, has also been planned for the purpose of specifying and forecasting equatorial scintillations. In the polar region, scintillation specification and forecast systems are yet to emerge although modeling and observations of polar cap plasma structures, their convection and associated irregularities have advanced greatly in recent years. Global scintillation observations made during the S-RAMP Space Weather Month in September 1999 are currently being analyzed to study the effects of magnetic storms on communication and navigation systems.     

Numerical simulation of the mutual conversion of ordinary and extraordinary waves in a magnetised plasma by artificial ionospheric turbulence

Some effects of normal mode coupling in weakly anisotropic inhomogeneous plasma are analysed on the basis of the numerical solution of transfer equations for the Stokes parameters. The numerical analysis of normal mode conversion on a set of isolated irregularities demonstrates the possibility of an effective polarisation transformation on such structures. It is shown that by the appropriate selection of discrete irregularities of the external magnetic field direction or plasma electron concentration resulting in radio-wave refraction, one can control electromagnetic radiation polarisation characteristics. Analytical expressions for mean Stokes parameters have been obtained for the rare isolated irregularities. The opportunity for the simulation of mutual wave conversion processes in the ionospheric heating experiments is discussed.     

Modeling of vertical sounding ionograms for nonmonotonous ionospheric layers

The problem of radiosignal reflection from a plane layered isotropic ionosphere has been considered. The vertical sounding ionograms for ionospheric layers with a complicated structure have been modeled. It has been demonstrated that the structure of reflected signals depends on the degree of ionospheric irregularities. Diffuse reflection of radiosignals, caused by the vertical irregularity of the ionosphere, has been detected.     

Effect of the irregularities of shape of the Earth's core-mantle boundary on pole wandering

Summary Using a simple model, the motion of the Earth's axis of rotation due to local, axially asymmetric irregularities in the distribution of masses at the Earth's core-mantle boundary, is investigated. Under the assumption of linear displacement of the pole of inertia with time, expressions have been derived for the motion of the pole of the axis of rotation. A numerical estimate of the extent of this motion is made for the characteristic dimensions of the irregularities.     

波在含有各向异性不均匀体介质中的散射理论

关于波在无序起伏的介质中传播问题曾在文献[1,2]中给予统计讨论,当满足一定条件λ<相似文献   

Splitting of the Doppler frequency shift of bi-static backscatter signals during the Sura experiments

The experimental studies of the specific behavior of small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities at midlatitudes, performed using the Sura HF heating facility, are analyzed. The observations were performed in September 2006, using the method of bi-static backscatter by artificial ionospheric irregularities on the Armavir-Sura-St. Petersburg and Samara-Sura-Rostov-on-Don diagnostic paths. It has been detected that the Doppler frequency shift of scattered signals at 3–7 Hz was split on the Armavir-Sura-St. Petersburg path from 1500 to 1600 UT on September 6, 2006. The simultaneous measurements on the Samara-Sura-Rostov-on-Don path indicated that only one signal of bi-static backscatter was present. An analysis of the experimental data, performed using the numerical simulation results, indicated that the ordinary and extraordinary polarization modes of bi-static backscatter signals could be simultaneously observed on September 6, 2006, on the Armavir-Sura-St. Petersburg path.     

Pearl diffuse structures on ionograms of Intercosmos-19 associated with irregularities of the low-latitude ionosphere

Unusual complex ionograms obtained by the Intercosmos-19 satellite are considered, in which four diffuse clouds with a characteristic shape are strung like pearls on the main path of the reflected signal. Ray tracing has been used to show that they are associated with 26 layers of irregularities located at altitudes from hmFs2 up to ~900 km. The sizes of the irregularities range from a few kilometers to 100 kilometers, and the intensity of δNe reaches 100%. The heights of irregular layers increase towards the equator, together with a rise of the F2 layer, and are not associated with magnetic field lines. Complex ionograms have been observed on the outer slope and at the top of the crest of the equatorial anomaly. They are probably caused by the processes occurring in the equatorial ionosphere.