Simulated impacts of atmospheric gravity waves on the initiation and optical emissions of sprite halos in the mesosphere

The correlation between atmospheric gravity waves(GWs) and Transient Luminous Events(TLEs) has been poorly studied using both synchronous observations and numerical simulations. To investigate the modulation effects of GWs on TLEs,a troposphere-mesosphere quasi-electrostatic field model is developed in three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates, and the effects of GW perturbations on the initiation and optical emissions of sprite halos are simulated using the model. Simulation results indicate that the atmospheric density at lower ionosphere altitudes becomes inhomogeneous due to GW perturbations, and sprite halos tend to initiate in the GW troughs due to the lower electric breakdown threshold. GW perturbations cause the deformation of sprite halos, strong luminous regions distribute mainly along the GW troughs while optical intensities along the GW peaks is relatively weak. Larger GW perturbations lead to more pronounced deformation of sprite halos, however, stronger lightning discharges in the troposphere result in less optical perturbations of sprite halos. The observed luminous intensities and optical morphology of sprite halos are also affected by the observing orientations and the lightning polarities.     

Proton interaction with quasi-electrostatic whistler mode waves in an inhomogeneous plasma (magnetosphere)

We study the interaction between energetic protons of the Earth’s radiation belts and quasi-electrostatic whistler mode waves. The nature of these waves is well known: whistler waves, which are excited in the magnetosphere due to cyclotron instability, enter the resonant regime of propagation and become quasielectrostatic, while their amplitude significantly increases. Far enough from the equator where proton gyrofrequency and transversal velocity increase the nonlinear interaction between these waves and energetic protons becomes possible. We show that plasma inhomogeneity may destroy cyclotron resonance between wave and proton on the time scale of the order of particle gyroperiod which in fact means the absence of cyclotron resonance; nevertheless, the interaction between waves and energetic particles remains nonlinear. In this case, particle dynamics in the phase space has the character of diffusion; however, the diffusion coefficients are determined by the averaged amplitude of the wave field, but not by its resonant harmonics. For real parameters of the waves and magnetospheric plasma, proton pitch-angle diffusion leading to their precipitation from the magnetosphere becomes essential.     

Three-dimensional EM computer simulation on sprite initiation above a horizontal lightning discharge

The purpose of this paper is to study the three-dimensional (3D) effects of the source current and the electromagnetic (EM) pulse on the distribution of upper atmospheric electric field and ionization created. A new lightning model has been employed; i.e., we have included a horizontal channel in addition to the conventional vertical channel. The effects of the horizontal lightning channel are summarized as follows: (1) the effect of a vertical channel plays a fundamental role in the whole view of sprite initiation; (2) the position of a sprite is shifted from the position of its parent vertical channel in response to the length of a horizontal channel; and (3) we observe very fine structures with local maxima and minima in the “reduced” electric field (the electric field divided by the neutral gas density). These theoretical inferences are discussed and compared with the observational facts so far reported (such as lateral shift of sprites, morphological difference of sprites, etc.).     

时变的准三维“红闪”电场模式研究

利用数值模拟的方法，研究了雷暴放电后，由雷暴电荷、感应电荷和晴天大气的背景电荷共同产生的准静电场(Quasi electrostatic field, 简称QEF)的时变过程，以及准静电场对中性大气的加热和电离. 结果表明: 在考虑电离层电势和晴天大气背景电场的影响后，时变的准三维的准静电场（QEF）模式能较好地解释“红闪”(Red sprites)的时空特征，特别是能模拟出“红闪”中的一种——“闪晕”（sprite halo）向上弯曲的空间结构.     

Estimation of lightning and sprite parameters based on observation of sprite-producing lightning power spectra

Spectrograms and ELF power spectra of magnetic variations originated from sprite-producing lightning discharges have been analyzed to extract both parent lightning and sprite parameters. Some of the spectrograms and power spectra have been found to have approximately quasi-oscillatory shape in the frequency range 0–40 Hz with maximum repetition period about 15–20 Hz. A theory predicts that this interesting peculiarity of the power spectra can be due to interference between electromagnetic fields originated from the parent lightning discharge and from the sprite. A smooth envelope of the power spectrum was shown to have a form of damped oscillations with period close to reciprocal value of sprite lag time. A technique of extracting sprite parameters based on the sprite-producing lightning power spectrum is proposed. The lack of the first Schumann resonance and other features occasionally observed in spectral resonance structure were also discussed.     

Influence of the finite ionospheric conductivity on dispersive, nonradiative field line resonances

The influence of the finite ionospheric conductivity on the structure of dispersive, nonradiative field line resonances (FLRs) is investigated for the first four odd harmonics. The results are based on a linear, magnetically incompressible, reduced, two-fluid MHD model. The model includes effects of finite electron inertia (at low altitude) and finite electron pressure (at high altitude). The ionosphere is treated as a high-integrated conducting substrate. The results show that even very low ionospheric conductivity (_P = 2 mho) is not sufficient to prevent the formation of a large-amplitude, small-scale, nonradiative FLR for the third and higher harmonics when the background transverse plasma inhomogeneity is strong enough. At the same time, the fundamental FLR is strongly affected by a state of low conductivity, and when _P = 2 mho, this resonance forms only small-amplitude, relatively broad electromagnetic disturbance. The difference in conductivities of northern and southern ionospheres does not produce significant asymmetry in the distribution of electric and magnetic fields along the resonant field line. The transverse gradient of the background Alfven speed plays an important role in structure of the FLR when the ionospheric conductivity is finite. In cases where the transverse inhomogeneity of the plasma is not strong enough, the low ionospheric conductivity can prevent even higher-harmonic FLRs from contracting to small scales where dispersive effects are important. The application of these results to the formation and temporal evolution of small-scale, active auroral arc forms is discussed.     

Recent Results from Studies of Electric Discharges in the Mesosphere

The paper reviews recent advances in studies of electric discharges in the stratosphere and mesosphere above thunderstorms, and their effects on the atmosphere. The primary focus is on the sprite discharge occurring in the mesosphere, which is the most commonly observed high altitude discharge by imaging cameras from the ground, but effects on the upper atmosphere by electromagnetic radiation from lightning are also considered. During the past few years, co-ordinated observations over Southern Europe have been made of a wide range of parameters related to sprites and their causative thunderstorms. Observations have been complemented by the modelling of processes ranging from the electric discharge to perturbations of trace gas concentrations in the upper atmosphere. Observations point to significant energy deposition by sprites in the neutral atmosphere as observed by infrasound waves detected at up to 1000 km distance, whereas elves and lightning have been shown significantly to affect ionization and heating of the lower ionosphere/mesosphere. Studies of the thunderstorm systems powering high altitude discharges show the important role of intracloud (IC) lightning in sprite generation as seen by the first simultaneous observations of IC activity, sprite activity and broadband, electromagnetic radiation in the VLF range. Simulations of sprite ignition suggest that, under certain conditions, energetic electrons in the runaway regime are generated in streamer discharges. Such electrons may be the source of X- and Gamma-rays observed in lightning, thunderstorms and the so-called Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes (TGFs) observed from space over thunderstorm regions. Model estimates of sprite perturbations to the global atmospheric electric circuit, trace gas concentrations and atmospheric dynamics suggest significant local perturbations, and possibly significant meso-scale effects, but negligible global effects.     

Horizontal magnetic dipole over an inhomogeneous earth model with exponential variation of conductivity

The paper outlines the formulation of the problem of calculating the electromagnetic field components due to a horizontal magnetic dipole placed over a multilayered earth model with one of the layers having exponential variation of conductivity with depth. Analytical solutions and numerical computations are performed for three-layered earth models possessing the described conductivity variation in the transition layer. It is assumed that the conduction currents dominate the displacement currents. Results presented here show the influence of the transition layer thickness and the conductivity contrast between the top and the bottom layers on electric and magnetic field components. The results show a characteristic dependence on the conductivity inhomogeneity.     

VLF transmitter signals as a possible tool for detection of seismic effects on the ionosphere

An overall consistent scheme is presented of using VLF transmitter signal spectral broadening observed on a satellite as a detection means of seismic activity. This includes the mechanisms for formation of small-scale plasma density irregularities, and generation of quasi-electrostatic lower hybrid resonance waves due to the scattering of transmitter signal from small-scale plasma irregularities. Both points are discussed in detail on quantitative level.     

Excitation of VLF quasi-electrostatic oscillations in the ionospheric plasma

A numerical solution of the dispersion equation for electromagnetic waves in a hot magnetized collisionless plasma has shown that, in a current-free ionospheric plasma, the distortion of the electron distribution function reproducing the downward flow of a thermal electron component and the compensating upward flow of the suprathermal electrons, which are responsible for the resulting heat flux, can destabilize quasi-electrostatic ion sound waves. The numerical analysis, performed with ion densities and electron temperature taken from the data recorded by the Interkosmos-24 (IK-24, Aktivny) satellite, is compared with a VLF spectrum registered at the same time on board. This spectrum shows a wide frequency band emission below the local ion plasma frequency. The direction of the electron heat flux inherent to the assumed model of VLF emission generation is discussed.     

Potential field of a stationary electric current in a stratified medium with a three-dimensional perturbing body

Summary The potential of the electric field of a stationary current in a two-layered Earth is calculated by applying Green's formula in the case where a three-dimensional inhomogeneity of different conductivity is located in the basement of the layer. It is proved that the potential outside and inside the perturbing body can be calculated from the potential of an electric double-layer distributed on the surface of this body. An integral equation of the Fredholm type is derived for the surface density of the double-layer, together with some of its integral properties. A similar procedure can be applied to computing the magnetic anomalies of three-dimensional magnetized bodies, geothermal anomalies due to three-dimensional inhomogeneities of different heat conductivity, as well as to potential problems of theoretical electrical engineering.     

Electric field enhancement in an auroral arc according to the simultaneous radar (EISCAT) and optical (ALIS) observations

The character of a change in the ionospheric electric field when several auroral arcs crossed the region of radar measurements has been analyzed. In one case the plasma conductivity and electric field normal component in an arc increased as compared to their undisturbed values. In another case the field and conductivity changed traditionally (in antiphase). Arcs with an increased field were previously classified as correlating arcs, but their existence was subsequently open to question during optical observations. The usage of the ALIS system of digital cameras made it possible to decrease the errors introduced by optical equipment. The measurements in the vicinity of correlating arcs were performed when these arcs were generated, and a traditional arc was a completed formation. In an originating arc, the field value can depend not only on the ionospheric plasma conductivity but also on the processes in the magnetospheric-ionospheric system resulting in the field enhancement.     

电导率分层连续变化的水平层的大地电磁正演

用有限单元法进行电导率分层连续变化水平层的大地电磁正演计算，与解析法的计算结果进行对比，两者非常符合．算例表明，地表浅部岩层电导率的不均匀性对大地电磁测深曲线的高频段有较大影响．     

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.     

Investigation of Schumann resonance polarization parameters

The Earth–ionosphere cavity is characterized by a number of disturbances which cause departures from the behaviour expected for the spherical symmetric case usually applied in model calculations. The main effects are the inhomogeneity of the upper atmosphere which is characterised by different conductivity profiles during day and night, and the conductivity anisotropy introduced by the Earths magnetic field. Standing waves, excited by the global thunderstorm activity, with an eigenfrequency of ≈8 Hz develop in this cavity. This phenomenon, which is called Schumann resonance, suffers a frequency splitting due to the removal of the spherical symmetry.At the Institut für Geophysik we measured the electromagnetic field components for a whole year at frequencies up to 20 Hz. We present the results of the analysis of the polarization of individual events of the horizontal magnetic field components. With the help of the polarization parameters as indicators, we show the existence of the aforementioned splitting. A frequency difference of 0.1–0.2 Hz between the two elliptical modes has been estimated.     

The “fan” instability as a possible generating mechanism of vlf quarter-gyrofrequency emissions during the recovery phase of a magnetospheric storm

Summary VLF quarter-gyrofrequency emissions, whose experimental characteristics differ from those of discrete plasmaspheric emissions usual during active times, have been observed by low-altitude Intercosmos 24 and Magion 2 satellites within the plasmasphere during periods of quieting geomagnetic activity. A new kind of instability is proposed which could lead to the production of these emissions. It is shown that quasi-electrostatic whistler waves can be generated in the eqquatorial region due to the fan instability, with maximum growth rate and spectral energy density in a frequency band below one half of the equatorial electron gyrofrequency. The observations of low-energy electrons and plasma waves in the equatorial region within or in the vicinity of the plasmapause, which could support our hypothesis experimentally, are discussed.     

Effectiveness of fast electron retention in the magnetic cavern during disturbance of the magnetic field azimuthal symmetry

The loss rate of fast electrons (with an energy much higher than the energy of the plasma electron thermal motion), when they leave a magnetic cavern during a disturbance of the magnetic field azimuthal symmetry, is studied. The cases of point and volume sources of fast particles have been considered. The plasma density in the cavern is supposed to be low, so that collisions of fast electrons with plasma particles can be neglected. The effect of the electric field on particle motion is neglected because it is assumed that the electric charge particles outgoing from the cavern is compensated by the counter current of plasma conductivity electrons. The dependence of the loss value on the harmonic number and the amplitude of the cavern boundary radius disturbance has been obtained.     

INDUCTION ANOMALY DUE TO AN ELONGATED COVERED ORE-ZONE EXCITED BY A LONG CURRENT CARRYING CABLE*

A detailed analysis of the electromagnetic anomaly due to an elongated mineralized zone of low resistivity in presence of a fixed-transmitter (a long cable carrying an, alternating current Ie^Iωt) is presented where (i) the host rock is not highly resistive and might contain some disseminated mineralization, (ii) the ore-body has an inhomogeneous conductivity, (iii) there is a contrast in magnetic properties of the ore-body and the host rocks, and (iv) source is close to the conducting system i.e., anomalous zone is lying shallow. The numerical computation of the generalized analytical expressions have been made. The selective screening behaviour of the cover is delineated and suitable frequency ranges for maximum detectability of a covered conductor have been obtained. A paradoxical decrease of the in-phase component of the response function with the increase of the core conductivity has been found for large conductivities of the cover. For moderate values of response parameter the inhomogeneity in the conductivity is found to significantly affect the induced field. The present analysis of the various features of the secondary field will aid to the existing interpretation sensitivity of the induction prospecting data for porphyry conducting ore deposits with zonal wall-rock alteration and sulphide distributions.     

Generation of auroral kilometric radiation in inhomogeneous magnetospheric plasma

The generation of auroral kilometric radiation in a narrow 3D plasma cavity, in which a weakly relativistic electron flow is propagated along the magnetic field against a low-density cold background plasma, is studied. The time dynamics of the propagation and intensification of waves are analyzed using geometric optics equations. The waves have different wave vector components and start from the cavity center at an altitude of about the Earth’s radius at plasma parameters typical for the auroral zone at this altitude. It is shown that the global inhomogeneity of the Earth’s magnetic field is of key importance in shaping the auroral kilometric radiation spectra.