大功率高频电波加热电离层中人工沿场不均匀体散射特性的理论与数值模拟研究

大功率高频电波与电离层的相互作用会引起电子密度扰动,进而产生人工沿场不均匀体,其对无线电波特别是超短波信号有强的定向散射能力,可形成一种新型的超短波通信方式.基于各向异性介质的散射理论,首先通过求解电子密度扰动产生的附加极化势获得电子密度扰动散射方程,然后对电子密度扰动进行高斯自相关处理,并结合入射波/散射波与地磁场方向的空间几何关系,获得电子密度扰动的波数谱表达式,建立了人工沿场不均匀体的散射系数理论模型.利用模型对Platteville站实验中产生的人工不均匀体散射截面积进行了数值模拟,并通过与实测值对比验证了模型的正确性.根据人工沿场散射原理给出了利用其进行无线电信号传输的约束条件.重点仿真分析了人工沿场不均匀体的散射系数和散射覆盖区范围,结果表明：同等条件下,相对于高纬度地区,低纬度地区人工沿场不均匀体的散射系数小5~10 dB,但其散射覆盖区的地面范围大,东西向可达3000 km,南北向可达1500 km,完全可用于超短波信号的超远距离传输.本文结果为中低纬度地区开展相关实验研究提供了理论指导,对利用人工沿场不均匀体进行无线信号的超远距离传输应用研究具有重要意义.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Region of permanent generation of large-scale irregularities in the daytime winter ionosphere of the Southern Hemisphere

With the use of data from topside sounding on board the Interkosmos-19 (IK-19) satellite, the region of permanent generation of large-scale irregularities in the daytime winter ionosphere of the Southern Hemisphere is differentiated. This region is characterized by low values of foF2 and hmF2 and occupies a rather large latitudinal band, from the equatorial anomaly ridge to ~70° S within the longitudinal range from 180° to 360°. Irregularities with a dimension of hundreds kilometers are regularly observed in the period from 0700–0800 to 1800–1900 LT, i.e., mainly in the daytime. In the IK-19 ionograms, they normally appear in the form of an extra trace with a critical frequency higher than that of the main trace reflected from the ionosphere with lower density. The electron density in the irregularity maximum sometimes exceeds the density of the background ionosphere by nearly a factor of 3. A model of the ionosphere with allowance for its irregular structure was created, and it was shown on the basis of trajectory calculations how the IK-19 ionograms related to these irregularities are formed. A possible mechanism of the generation of large-scale irregularities of the ionospheric plasma is discussed.     

Gradient drift instability as a source of spread <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis> in the region of large-scale irregularities in the low-latitude topside ionosphere

The expression for the increment of instability and decrement of diffusion damping of gradient drift waves for ionospheric altitudes above the F ₂ layer maximum is obtained. The gradient drift instability is used to interpret the observations of spread F in the region of large-scale horizontal irregularities of the electron density. Two types of such irregularities observed on board the Intercosmos-19 (IC-19) satellite in the region of low latitudes (a peak of the density in the dusk ionosphere and a trough of the density in the dawn ionosphere) are considered. It is shown that the observed gradients of the density and electric field values in the dawn and dusk ionospheric sectors are quite sufficient for the instability development criterion to be satisfied in both considered cases.     

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.     

Current state-of-the-art for the measurement of non-Maxwellian plasma parameters with the EISCAT UHF Facility

New results on the information that can be extracted from simulated non-Maxwellian incoherent radar spectra are presented. The cases of a pure ionosphere and of a composite ionosphere typical of a given altitude of the auroral F region are considered. In the case of a pure ionosphere of NO⁺ or O⁺ ions it has been shown that the electron temperature and the electron density can be derived from a Maxweilian analysis of radar spectra measured at aspect angles of 0° or 21° respectively; the ion temperature and ion temperature anisotropy can be derived from a non- constraining model such as the ID Raman fitting of a complementary measurement made at an aspect angle larger than 0° for the NO⁺ ions, or at an aspect angle larger than 21° for the O⁺ ions. Moreover with such measurements at large aspect angles, the shape of the velocity ion distribution functions can simultaneously be inferred. The case of a composite ionosphere of atomic O⁺ and molecular NO⁺ions is a difficult challenge which requires simultaneously a complementary measurement of the electron temperature to provide the ion composition and the electron density from the incoherent radar spectra at a specific aspect angle of 21°; hence, a model dependent routine is necessary to derive the ion temperatures and ion temperature anisotropies. In the case where the electron temperature is not given, a routine which depends on ion distribution models is required first: the better the ion distribution models are, the more accurately derived the plasma parameters will be. In both cases of a composite ionosphere, the 1D Raman fitting can be used to keep a check on the validity of the results provided by the ion distribution model dependent routine.     

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.     

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.     

化学物质释放激发中低纬扩展F的数值模拟

利用离子和电子动量方程、连续性方程以及电流连续性方程建立了适合描述中低纬spread-F发展的物理模型,并对模型进行了数值求解,讨论了利用H₂O释放来激发电离层Rayleigh-Taylor不稳定性的可能性. 结果表明,电离层处于不稳定状态时,H₂O在电离层底部释放后,造成电子的大量消耗,增强了峰值高度以下电子的密度梯度,有利于spread-F的发展,在spread-F发展的过程中,释放中心附近会形成电子密度的消耗区,两侧出现密度的增强区;而电离层比较稳定时,初始扰动会逐渐稳定下来,但化学物质释放仍能造成电子较长时间、较大范围的扰动.     

Diffusion spreading of middle-latitude ionospheric plasma irregularities

In contrast to the way that the spreading of irregularities in a plasma is usually considered, the diffusion spreading of irregularities stretched along the geomagnetic field B is examined using a three-dimensional rigorous numerical model of quasi-neutral diffusion in the presence of a magnetic field, in conjunction with the actual height variations of the diffusion and conductivity tensors in the ionosphere. A comparison with the earlier constructed approximate model of unipolar diffusion was made. As in the previous case, the same peculiarities of irregularity spreading in the inhomogeneous background ionospheric plasma were observed. The accuracy of the approximate model for describing the process of spreading of anisotropic ionospheric irregularities is established. Time relaxation effects of real heating-induced ionospheric irregularities on their scale transverse to B are presented using the approximate analytical model for the case of a quasi-homogeneous ionospheric plasma. The calculated results have a vivid physical meaning and can be directly compared with experimental data on the radiophysical observations of artificial heating-induced irregularities created by powerful radio waves in the ionosphere.     

基于星载SAR信号的TEC反演新方法

由于星载合成孔径雷达(SAR)系统工作于电离层之上,其信号不可避免地将受到电离层的影响. 背景电离层以及电离层电子密度不规则体多重散射效应可引起距离向图像质量的下降, 在强起伏情况下, 多重散射效应对信号的延迟影响不可忽略. 针对此问题, 本文提出了一种基于SAR回波信号的三频相位自适应TEC反演新方法, 利用反演的结果对电离层的影响进行校正. 给出了校正前后的点目标成像仿真, 结果显示此方法充分考虑了多重散射效应引起的TEC估计误差, 可以有效地补偿电离层对距离向成像的影响, 提高了距离向点目标图像质量.     

Features of High-Latitude Ionospheric Irregularities Development as Revealed by Ground-Based GPS Observations,Satellite-Borne GPS Observations and Satellite In Situ Measurements over the Territory of Russia during the Geomagnetic Storm on March 17–18, 2015

The dynamic picture of the response of the high- and mid-latitude ionosphere to the strong geomagnetic disturbances on March 17–18, 2015, has been studied with ground-based and satellite observations, mainly, by transionospheric measurements of delays of GPS (Global Positioning System) signals. The advantages of the joint use of ground-based GPS measurements and GPS measurements on board of the Swarm Low-Earth-Orbit satellite mission for monitoring of the appearance of ionospheric irregularities over the territory of Russia are shown for the first time. The results of analysis of ground-based and space-borne GPS observations, as well as satellite, in situ measurements, revealed large-scale ionospheric plasma irregularities observed over the territory of Russia in the latitude range of 50°–85° N during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm. The most intense ionospheric irregularities were detected in the auroral zone and in the region of the main ionospheric trough (MIT). It has been found that sharp changes in the phase of the carrier frequency of the navigation signal from all tracked satellites were recorded at all GPS stations located to the North from 55° MLAT. The development of a deep MIT was related to dynamic processes in the subauroral ionosphere, in particular, with electric fields of the intense subauroral polarization stream. Analysis of the electron and ion density values obtained by instruments on board of the Swarm and DMSP satellites showed that the zone of highly structured auroral ionosphere extended at least to heights of 850–900 km.     

Correlation between the horizontal wind direction and orientation of cross-field anisotropy of small-scale irregularities in the <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis> region of midlatitude ionosphere

Radio sounding of midlatitude ionosphere shows that natural small-scale electron density irregularities in the F region are cross-field anisotropic. The orientation of the cross-field anisotropy is different under different geophysical conditions. The cross-field anisotropy orientation is matched with the horizontal wind direction calculated within the HWM07 model for each event. It is ascertained that natural irregularities in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic field are stretched along the horizontal wind direction under different geophysical conditions.     

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).     

基于SAMI2模式的电离层加热模拟

通过在SAMI2模式的电子能量方程中添加人工加热项,数值模拟了在加热条件下磁场线上电子温度与电子密度的扰动情况,并对比了不同加热条件下的扰动效应.结果表明,入射到电离层中的大功率无线电波与等离子体相互作用,能够有效造成整条磁场线上电子温度的升高而产生电子温度扰动,尤其是加热点处,温度可增加3倍多;由于电子温度升高,压力平衡受到破坏,引发等离子体扩散进而导致电子密度扰动;电子密度扰动使得垂直于磁场线的电子密度梯度发生变化,这有可能形成电离层管(Ionosphere duct);电子温度和电子密度的扰动幅度随着加热时间的推移而减小,即扰动逐渐趋于稳定.电子温度与密度的扰动与加热率存在一种非线性关系.     

考虑电子吸附效应的低电离层加热研究

基于低电离层自洽加热模型,综合考虑了低电离层中电子的复合效应及典型吸附效应,本文数值仿真了大功率高频无线电波持续加热低电离层所产生的电子温度、电子密度的扰动,并且首次模拟分析了由于电子温度扰动造成的加热电波自吸收效应.结果表明：电子吸收大功率加热电波能量导致了电子温度的增加,同时改变了电离层的吸收指数,引起了加热电波的自吸收效应.加热电波的自吸收效应对低电离层较高区域的电子温度扰动有重要的抑制作用.因此,随着加热频率的减小或有效辐射功率的增大,低电离层较低区域的电子温度增量明显增大而在高度100 km以上区域的电子温度增量始终较小.另一方面,随着电子温度的增加,电子的复合系数减小而电子的吸附系数增加,导致了电子密度在低电离层中较高区域出现正扰动而在较低区域出现负扰动.当饱和电子温度较大时,继续减小加热频率或增大有效辐射功率对电子密度扰动所造成的改变较小,尤其当电子温度超出复合系数和吸附系数的温度敏感区间.此外,电子温度与电子密度的饱和时间相差较大,电子温度的饱和时间为微秒量级而电子密度的饱和时间为秒量级.     

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.     

基于北斗、GLONASS和GPS系统的中低纬电离层特性联合探测

基于GNSS(Global Navigation Satellite Systems)的发展,我们利用具有北斗、GLONASS和GPS三系统信号接收功能的接收机观测的数据,结合电离层总电子含量(Total Electron Content, TEC)的反演算法,提取出GNSS三系统观测的电离层TEC;同时,将GNSS三系统获取的TEC应用到电离层TEC地图、行进式扰动、不规则体结构和电离层的太阳耀斑响应等方面的研究中,这也是首次使用三种GNSS系统数据对电离层进行联合探测研究.研究结果表明,增加了北斗系统的GNSS三系统在研究中国地区电离层TEC地图、周日变化、逐日变化,行进式扰动以及电离层的实时监测等方面较单系统的GPS具有明显的优势.