Relative phase and amplitude response to gravity waves of minor species in the thermosphere

Abstract

The response of minor species to gravity waves in the thermosphere varies according to the mass of the species. The relative density perturbation of any minor constituent may be related to the relative density perturbation of the atmosphere due to the waves via a complex function of frequency and wavenumber that may be represented as an amplitude and phase response. Peaks and dips in response and large phase shifts are found that are associated with complex poles and zeroes of the response function. These poles and zeroes depend on background quantities, so that the nature of the response is model dependent; collisions are most important. The effects of background and collisions are examined using numerical computations. Relationships to some satellite observations are discussed.