On auroral dynamics observed by HF radar: 1. Equatorward edge of the afternoon-evening diffuse luminosity belt

Observations and modelling are presented which illustrate the ability of the Finland CUTLASS HF radar to monitor the afternoon-evening equatorward auroral boundary during weak geomagnetic activity. The subsequent substorm growth phase development was also observed in the late evening sector as a natural continuation of the preceding auroral oval dynamics. Over an 8 h period the CUTLASS Finland radar observed a narrow (in range) and persistent region of auroral F- and (later) E-layer echoes which gradually moved equatorward, consistent with the auroral oval diurnal rotation. This echo region corresponds to the subvisual equatorward edge of the diffuse luminosity belt (SEEL) and the ionospheric footprint of the inner boundary of the electron plasma sheet. The capability of the Finland CUTLASS radar to monitor the E-layer SEEL-echoes is a consequence of the nearly zero E-layer rectilinear aspect angles in a region 5/10° poleward of the radar site. The F-layer echoes are probably the boundary blob echoes. The UHF EISCAT radar was in operation and observed a similar subvisual auroral arc and an F-layer electron density enhancement when it appeared in its antenna beam.     

Simultaneous observations at different altitudes of ionospheric backscatter in the eastward electrojet

A common feature of evening near-range ionospheric backscatter in the CUTLASS Iceland radar field of view is two parallel, approximately L-shell-aligned regions of westward flow which are attributed to irregularities in the auroral eastward electrojet region of the ionosphere. These backscatter channels are separated by approximately 100–200 km in range. The orientation of the CUTLASS Iceland radar beams and the zonally aligned nature of the flow allows an approximate determination of flow angle to be made without the necessity of bistatic measurements. The two flow channels have different azimuthal variations in flow velocity and spectral width. The nearer of the two regions has two distinct spectral signatures. The eastern beams detect spectra with velocities which saturate at or near the ion-acoustic speed, and have low spectral widths (less than 100ms^–1), while the western beams detect lower velocities and higher spectral widths (above 200ms^–1). The more distant of the two channels has only one spectral signature with velocities above the ionacoustic speed and high spectral widths. The spectral characteristics of the backscatter are consistent with E-region scatter in the nearer channel and upper-E-region or F-region scatter in the further channel. Temporal variations in the characteristics of both channels support current theories of E-region turbulent heating and previous observations of velocity-dependent backscatter cross-section. In future, observations of this nature will provide a powerful tool for the investigation of simultaneous E- and F-region irregularity generation under similar (nearly co-located or magnetically conjugate) electric field conditions.     

Letter to the editor First direct observations of the reduced striations at pump frequencies close to the electron gyroharmonics

It is well known that the ionospheric plasma response to high-power HF radio waves changes drastically as the heater frequency approaches harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency. These include changes in the spectrum of the stimulated electromagnetic emission, reduction in the anomalous absorption of low-power diagnostic waves propagating through the heated volume, and reduction in the large scale F-region heating. Theoretical models as well as previous experimental evidence point towards the absence of small-scale field-aligned plasma density irregularities at pump frequencies close to electron gyroharmonics as the main cause of these changes. Results presented in this paper are the first direct observations of the reduced striations at the 3rd gyroharmonic made by the CUTLASS radar. In addition, simultaneous EISCAT observations have revealed that the “enhanced ion-line” usually present in the EISCAT ion-line spectrum during the first few seconds after heater switch on, persisted at varying strengths while the heater was transmitting at frequencies close to the 3rd electron gyroharmonics.     

A flux transfer event observed at the magnetopause by the Equator-S spacecraft and in the ionosphere by the CUTLASS HF radar

Observations of a flux transfer event (FTE) have been made simultaneously by the Equator-S spacecraft near the dayside magnetopause whilst corresponding transient plasma flows were seen in the near-conjugate polar ionosphere by the CUTLASS Finland HF radar. Prior to the occurrence of the FTE, the magnetometer on the WIND spacecraft ≈226 R_E upstream of the Earth in the solar wind detected a southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) which is estimated to have reached the subsolar magnetopause ≈77 min later. Shortly afterwards the Equator-S magnetometer observed a typical bipolar FTE signature in the magnetic field component normal to the magnetopause, just inside the magnetosphere. Almost simultaneously the CUTLASS Finland radar observed a strong transient flow in the F region plasma between 78° and 83° magnetic latitude, near the ionospheric region predicted to map along geomagnetic field lines to the spacecraft. The flow signature (and the data set as a whole) is found to be fully consistent with the view that the FTE was formed by a burst of magnetopause reconnection.     

Statistical observations of the MLT, latitude and size of pulsed ionospheric flows with the CUTLASS Finland radar

A study has been performed on the occurrence of pulsed ionospheric flows as detected by the CUTLASS Finland HF radar. These flows have been suggested as being created at the ionospheric footprint of newly-reconnected field lines, during episodes of magnetic flux transfer into the terrestrial magnetosphere (flux transfer events or FTEs). Two years of both high-time resolution and normal scan data from the CUTLASS Finland radar have been analysed in order to perform a statistical study of the extent and location of the pulsed ionospheric flows. We note a great similarity between the statistical pattern of the coherent radar observations of pulsed ionospheric flows and the traditional low-altitude satellite identification of the particle signature associated with the cusp/cleft region. However, the coherent scatter radar observations suggest that the merging gap is far wider than that proposed by the Newell and Meng model. The new model for cusp low-altitude particle signatures, proposed by Lockwood and Onsager and Lockwood provides a unified framework to explain the dayside precipitation regimes observed both by the low-altitude satellites and by coherent scatter radar detection.     

A comparison of veloCity measurements from the CUTLASS Finland radar and the EISCAT UHF system

The CUTLASS Finland radar, which comprises an integral part of the SuperDARN system of HF coherent radars, provides near continuous observations of high-latitude plasma irregularities within a field-of-view which extends over some four million square kilometres. Within the Finland radar field-of-view lie both the EISCAT mainland and EISCAT Svalbard incoherent scatter radar facilities. Since the CUTLASS Finland radar commenced operation, in February 1995, the mainland EISCAT UHF radar has been run in common programme 1 and 2 modes for a total duration exceeding 1000 h. Simultaneous and spatially coincident returns from these two radars over this period provide the basis for a comparison of irregularity drift veloCity and F-region ion veloCity. Initial comparison is limited to velocities from four intervals of simultaneous radar returns; intervals are selected such that they exhibit a variety of veloCity signatures including that characteristic of the convection reversal and a rapidly fluctuating veloCity feature. Subsequent comparison is on a statistical basis. The velocities measured by the two systems demonstrate reasonable correspondence over the veloCity regime encountered during the simultaneous occurrence of coherent and incoherent scatter; differences between the EISCAT UHF measurements of F-region ion drift and the irregularity drift velocities from the Finland radar are explained in terms of a number of contributing factors including contamination of the latter by E-region echoes, a factor which is investigated further, and the potentially deleterious effect of discrepant volume and time sampling intervals.     

First complementary observations by ionospheric tomography, the EISCAT Svalbard radar and the CUTLASS HF radar

Experimental results are presented from ionospheric tomography, the EISCAT Svalbard radar and the CUTLASS HF radar. Tomographic measurements on 10 October 1996, showing a narrow, field-aligned enhancement in electron density in the post-noon sector of the dayside auroral zone, are related to a temporal increase in the plasma concentration observed by the incoherent scatter radar in the region where the HF radar indicated a low velocity sunwards convection. The results demonstrate the complementary nature of these three instruments for polar-cap ionospheric studies.     

Irregular structures of the F layer at high latitudes during ionospheric heating

Results on heating the ionospheric F region above Tromsø, Norway are presented. The ionosphere was monitored by satellite tomography and amplitude scintillation methods as well as the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar. No effect of heating was observed in the daytime. In the evening and in the pre-midnight sector, noticeable tilts of the F region were observed during heating periods. The tilts overlapped the heating cone, where the electron density decreased and irregularities exceeding 10 km in size appeared. Between the heating periods the F layer was restored to its horizontal shape. The anisotropic parameters of small-scale irregularities with scale lengths of hundreds of metres were also determined. It was found that the perpendicular anisotropy points in the direction of F region plasma flow. In some cases the results can be explained by assuming that the small-scale irregularities were generated within the heating cone and drifted out of the heating region where they were subsequently observed.     

Spatial structure of auroral day-time ionospheric electron density irregularities generated by a powerful HF-wave

We describe an experiment in satellite radio-wave probing of the ionosphere, modified by powerful waves from the HF heating facility at Tromsø (Norway) in May 1995. Amplitude scintillations and variations of the phase of VHF signals from Russian navigational satellites passing over the heated region were observed. We show that both large-scale electron density irregularities (several tens of kilometers in size) and small-scale ones (from hundreds of meters to kilometers) can be generated by the HF radiation. Maximum effects caused by small-scale irregularities detected in the satellite signals are observed in the directions sector approximately parallel to the geomagnetic field lines although large-scale structures can be detected within a much larger area. The properties of small-scale irregularities (electron density fluctuations) are investigated by applying a statistical analysis and by studying experimental and model mean values of the logarithm of the relative amplitude of the signal. The results indicate that satellite radio probing can be a supporting diagnostic technique for ionospheric heating and add valuable information to studies of effects produced by HF modification.     

High spatial and temporal resolution observations of an impulse-driven field line resonance in radar backscatter artificially generated with the Tromsø heater

The CUTLASS Finland HF radar has been operated in conjunction with the EISCAT Tromsø RF ionospheric heater facility to examine a ULF wave characteristic of the development of a field line resonance (FLR) driven by a cavity mode caused by a magnetospheric impulse. When the heater is on, striating the ionosphere with field-aligned ionospheric electron density irregularities, a large enough radar target is generated to allow post-integration over only 1 second. When combined with 15 km range gates, this gives radar measurements of a naturally occurring ULF wave at a far better temporal and spatial resolution than has been achieved previously. The time-dependent signature of the ULF wave has been examined as it evolves from a large-scale cavity resonance, through a transient where the wave period was latitude-dependent and the oscillation had the characteristics of freely ringing field lines, and finally to a very narrow, small-scale local field line resonance. The resonance width of the FLR is only 60 km and this is compared with previous observations and theory. The FLR wave signature is strongly attenuated in the ground magnetometer data. The characterisation of the impulse driven FLR was only achieved very crudely with the ground magnetometer data and, in fact, an accurate determination of the properties of the cavity and field line resonant systems challenges the currently available limitations of ionospheric radar techniques. The combination of the latest ionospheric radars and facilities such as the Tromsø ionospheric heater can result in a powerful new tool for geophysical research.     

大功率电波加热电离层中热自聚焦不稳定性的理论研究和数值模拟

本文首先从电子密度及电子温度的输运方程和考虑自作用时的电磁波波动方程出发,利用简正模展开的方法推导出泵波在反射区域激发出热自聚焦不稳定性(thermal self-focusing instabilities,TSFI)所需电场阈值以及其增长率的完整数学表达式,并估算了TSFI激发阈值及所对应的有效辐射功率(ERP)的量级.随后利用三维垂直加热的理论模型,结合国际参考电离层(IRI-2012)和中性大气模型(MSIS-E-00)给出的背景参数,数值模拟了大功率高频泵波加热电离层时泵波反射区域电子密度及电子温度因TSFI而产生的变化及发展的过程,并对比分析了不同背景参数对较热效果的影响.结果表明:当高频泵波的加热阈值达到或超过百毫伏每米的量级时,即可激发TSFI,发展出大尺度电子密度及温度不均匀体,这些不均匀体内的密度耗空约为4%~10%,而电子温度剧烈增长,到达背景温度值的1.6~2.1倍;且在相当的加热条件下,背景电子温度越低、电子密度越小,加热效果越显著;电子密度及电子温度的扰动幅度随着加热时间的推移而逐渐减小,即扰动逐渐趋于饱和,且电子温度要快于电子密度达到饱和状态.本文还对泵波反射高度处的电子密度及电子温度变化率进行采样并求得其功率谱密度,分析结果表明:TSFI发展出的大尺度不均匀体满足幂律谱结构,谱指数随着加热的进行逐渐趋于稳定,白天与夜间的幂律谱指数区别不大,但电子密度与电子温度的幂律谱有所区别.     

Determining the ionospheric irregularity velocity vector based on doppler measurements in the artificially modified <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> region of the polar ionosphere

The method for estimating the behavior of the ionospheric irregularity motion vector in the artificially disturbed HF ionospheric region has been proposed, and this behavior has been analyzed based on the simultaneous Doppler observations performed on several paths using the method of bi-static backscatter of diagnostic HF signals by small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities. The Doppler measurements were performed during the modification of the auroral ionosphere by powerful HF radiowaves emitted by the EISCAT heating facility (Tromsø, Norway). It has been obtained that the dynamics of the ionospheric irregularity directions in the F region, calculated based on the Doppler measurements of the total vector of the ionospheric irregularity velocity above the Tromsø EISCAT radar at a frequency of 931 MHz, is in satisfactory agreement with such calculations performed using the three-position method.     

The generation of non aspect sensitive plasma density irregularities by field aligned drifts in the lower ionosphere

A theory of the generation of plasma density irregularities with virtually no aspect sensitivity, in the lower ionosphere at high latitudes, by electron drifts aligned with the geomagnetic field, is presented. The theory is developed through fluid equations in which the destabilising mechanism involves positive feedback from electron collisional heating. When field aligned electron drift speeds exceed a few km s^–1, this effect destabilises waves with wavelengths in excess of a few tens of metres in the lower E-region, where collisional effects are sufficiently large. Furthermore, the threshold conditions are almost independent of the wave propagation direction and the unstable waves propagate at speeds well below the ion acoustic speed. The role that this new instability may play in recent radar backscatter observations of short scale irregularities propagating in directions close to that of the geomagnetic field, in the lower E-region is also considered.     

CUTLASS observations of a high-m ULF wave and its consequences for the DOPE HF Doppler sounder

The CUTLASS (Co-operative UK Twin Located Auroral Sounding System) Finland HF radar, whilst operating in a high spatial and temporal resolution mode, has measured the ionospheric signature of a naturally occurring ULF wave in scatter artificially generated by the Tromsø Heater. The wave had a period of 100 s and exhibited curved phase fronts across the heated volume (about 180 km along a single radar beam). Spatial information provided by CUTLASS has enabled an m-number for the wave of about 38 to be determined. This high-m wave was not detected by the IMAGE (International Monitor for Auroral Geomagnetic Effects) network of ground magnetometers, as expected for a wave of a small spatial scale size. These observations offer the first independent confirmation of the existence of the ground uncorrelated ULF wave signatures previously reported in measurements recorded from an HF Doppler sounder located in the vicinity of Tromsø. These results both demonstrate a new capability for geophysical exploration from the combined CUTLASS-EISCAT ionospheric Heater experiment, and provide a verification of the HF Doppler technique for the investigation of small scale ULF waves.     

Validation of the CUTLASS HF radar gravity wave observing capability using EISCAT CP-1 data

Quasi-periodic fluctuations in the returned ground-scatter power from the SuperDARN HF radars have been linked to the passage of medium-scale gravity waves. We have applied a technique that extracts the first radar range returns from the F-region to study the spatial extent and characteristics of these waves in the CUTLASS field-of-view. Some ray tracing was carried out to test the applicability of this method. The EISCAT radar facility at Tromsø is well within the CUTLASS field-of-view for these waves and provides a unique opportunity to assess independently the ability of the HF radars to derive gravity wave information. Results from 1st March, 1995, where the EISCAT UHF radar was operating in its CP-1 mode, demonstrate that the radars were in good agreement, especially if one selects the electron density variations measured by EISCAT at around 235 km. CUTLASS and EISCAT gravity wave observations complement each other; the former extends the spatial field of view considerably, whilst the latter provides detailed vertical information about a range of ionospheric parameters.     

Some aspects of electrostatic coupling between E and F regions relevant to plasma irregularities: A review based on recent observations

This paper provides a review on some of the electrostatic coupling effects relevant for generating/modifying plasma irregularities during nighttime in the low latitude ionosphere based on recent observations. Emphasis is given to the role of large polarization electric field associated with an unstable region affecting another region remotely located. Recent radar observations on valley region and E region irregularities from low latitudes show convincing evidence in support of effective electrostatic field coupling along the magnetic field line for their manifestation. Interestingly, the low latitude observations clearly show the ineffectiveness of plasma bubble related fringe fields in generating low latitude valley region irregularities unlike that over the dip equator. Velocity perturbations associated with the unstable low latitude E region relevant for studying the seeding of equatorial spread F are also shown. These new observations have been critically examined in the light of existing experimental knowledge and current understanding of the electrostatic coupling effects for the generation/modification of plasma irregularities in a remote region.     

Temporal behaviour of artificial small-scale ionospheric irregularities: Review of experimental results

Features of artificial small-scale ionospheric irregularities (ASI) induced at F-region heights by powerful HF waves are discussed. The investigations presented here were performed during the past two decades at the Zimenki and Sura heating facilities, located at middle latitudes near Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia, as well as at the Gissar facility located at a lower latitude near Dushanbe, Tadzhikistan. The measurements were made by a variety of diagnostic methods employing artificial field-aligned scattering of HF and VHF radio waves, sounding of the disturbed region by means of low-power probing waves and testing of the artificial turbulence by means of stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE). The dependence of ASI on such parameters as transverse scale length of the artificial irregularities, their location in the disturbed region, the power of the heating wave, the duration of HF radiation, geophysical conditions, aftereffects of the preceding modification, and the schedule of heater operation is considered for both the development stage after pump turn-on and the decay stage after pump turn-off. The temporal evolution of ASI spectral characteristics during the heater period is discussed. An empirical model for the ASI, based on the data available, was elaborated and verified by computer simulation of SEE generation.     

The synthesis of travelling ionospheric disturbance (TID) signatures in HF radar observations using ray tracing

Characteristic signatures are often observed in HF radar range-time-intensity plots when travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are present. These signatures, in particular the variation of the F-region skip distance, have been synthesised using a ray tracing model. The magnitude of the skip variation is found to be a function of the peak electron density perturbation associated with the TID and radar frequency. Examination of experimental observations leads to an estimate of the peak electron density perturbation amplitude of around 25% for those TIDs observed by the CUTLASS radar system. The advantage of using the skip variation over the radar return amplitude as an indicator of density perturbation is also discussed. An example of a dual radar frequency experiment has been given. The investigation of the effect of radar frequency on the observations will aid the optimisation of future experiments.     

Peculiarities of artificial ionospheric radiation under the action of high-power HF radiowaves, emitted by the SPEAR facility, on the sporadic E layer of the polar ionosphere

The results of the experimental studies of the ionospheric effects originating under the action of high-power HF radiowaves, emitted by the SPEAR heating facility into the sporadic E _s layer of the polar ionosphere, are presented. The experiment was performed on March 2, 2007, simultaneously at two spaced points: Barentsburg (Spitsbergen, a distance of about 40 km from the SPEAR facility) and Gor’kovskaya observatory near St. Petersburg, located at a distance of about 2000 km from SPEAR. The distributions of the heating signal intensity in the 100 kHz frequency band were measured in Barentsburg. Bistatic backscatter of diagnostic HF signals by small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities was observed at Gor’kovskaya observatory. Based on an analysis of the experimental data obtained in Barentsburg, it has been found out that a broadband noise-like component originated and additional maximums appeared in the heating signal spectrum. The broadband emission intensity was a factor of 1.5–3 as high as the noise level. The additional maximums were formed in the regions of the positive and negative frequency shift relative to the heating signal frequency and were observed when the heating frequency was lower than the critical frequency of the E _s layer; e.g., a high-power HF radiowave reflected from E _s . The expression for determining the frequency shift of the additional maximum in the heating signal spectrum at altitudes of the ionospheric E region, taking into account the ion-electron collision frequency, has been obtained. The heating signal spectrum registration was compared with the observations of small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities and the trajectory modeling of signals scattered by the considered irregularities. The observation results have been analyzed and interpreted taking into account the magnetic and ionospheric data characterizing the background geophysical conditions.     

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.