Role of a Complex Ionic Composition in the Wind-Shear Theory of Sporadic-E Layers

Radio Science ◽  
1966 ◽  
Vol 1 (9) ◽  
pp. 1101-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Cuchet
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mani Sivakandan ◽  
Jorge L Chau ◽  
Carlos Martinis ◽  
Yuichi Otsuka ◽  
Jens Mielich ◽  
...  

<p>Northwest to southeast phase fronts with southwestward moving features are commonly observed in the nighttime midlatitude ionosphere during the solstice months at low solar activity. These features are identified as nighttime MSTIDs (medium scale traveling ionospheric disturbances). Initially, they were considered to be a manifestation of neutral atmospheric gravity waves. Later on, investigations showed that the nighttime MSTIDs are electrified in nature and mostly confined to the mid and low latitude ionosphere. Although the overall characteristics of the nighttime MSTIDs are mostly well understood, the causative mechanisms are not well known. Perkins instability mechanism was believed to be the cause of nighttime MSTIDs, however, the growth rate of the instability is too small to explain the perturbations observed. Recently, model simulations and observational studies suggest that coupling between sporadic-E layers and other type of E-region instabilities, and the F region may be relevant to explain the generation of the MSTIDs.</p><p>In the present study simultaneous observation from OI 630 nm all-sky airglow imager, GPS-TEC, ionosonde and Meteor radars, are used to investigate the role of E and F region coupling on the generation of MSTIDs .Nighttime MSTIDs observed on three nights (14 March 2020, 23 March 2020 and 28 May 2020) in the OI 630 nm airglow images over Kuehlungsborn (54°07'N; 11°46'E, 53.79N  mag latitude), Germany, are presented. Simultaneous detrended GPS-TEC measurements also shows presence of MSTIDs on these nights. In addition, simultaneous ionosonde observations over Juliusruh (54°37.7'N 13°22.5'E) show spread-F in the ionograms as well as sporadic-E layer occurrence.  Furthermore, we also investigate the MLT region wind variations during these nights. The role of Es-layers and the interplay between the winds and Es-layers role on the generation of the MSTIDs will be discussed in detail in this presentation.</p><p> </p>


2017 ◽  
Vol 122 (4) ◽  
pp. 4450-4465 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Shinagawa ◽  
Y. Miyoshi ◽  
H. Jin ◽  
H. Fujiwara

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 2095-2105 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Shalimov ◽  
C. Haldoupis

Abstract. This paper investigates the role of neutral winds in the generation of relatively large polarization electric fields across patchy sporadic-E layers, which then map upward to the F region, to create conditions for medium-scale spread-F. The calculations are based on an analytical model that uses the current continuity equation and field-aligned current closures to the F region in order to describe quantitatively a Hall polarization process inside sporadic-E plasma patches during nighttime. In applying this model we use experimentally known values for E and F region, conductances, the ambient electric fields and prevailing neutral winds, in order to estimate the polarization fields that build up inside sporadic-E. It is found that the relatively strong west-southwest neutral winds during summer nighttime can provide the free energy for the generation of sizable polarization electric fields, which have comparable eastward and north-upward components and reach values of several mV/m. Given that the sporadic-E patches have sizes from a few to several tens of kilometers, the polarization fields can map easily to the F region bottomside where they impact ExB plasma uplifts and westward bulk motions, in line with key observational properties of medium-scale spread-F. However, the present simple model needs further development to also include wind forcing of the F region plasma and possible polarization processes inside spread-F. Keywords. Ionosphere (Electric fields and currents; Ionospheric irregularities; Mid-latitude ionosphere)


2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (12) ◽  
pp. 3757-3763 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Nygrén ◽  
M. Voiculescu ◽  
A. T. Aikio

Abstract. This paper investigates the roles of electric field and neutral wind in the generation of sporadic-E layers within the polar cap. Two Es layers above Svalbard, observed by the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR), were chosen for investigation. The radar experiment contains four beam directions, and this was used for determining the electric field. The neutral wind was obtained from the HWM93 model. Formation of Es layers was calculated by integrating the continuity equation under the action of driving forces due to neutral wind and electric field. A flat height profile of metal ions was assumed in the beginning. The calculation gives the time variation of the layer, which can be compared with observations. In one case the electric field was shown to be the main driving agent in layer generation. In the other case the electric field was weak and the layer was produced mainly by the neutral wind, but the electric field had influence on the height of the layer. A fairly good agreement between the variations of the observed and calculated layer altitudes was obtained and some agreement between the intensity variations was also found.


1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 519-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. T. Jayachandran ◽  
P. Sri Ram ◽  
P. V. S. Rama Rao ◽  
V. V. Somayajulu

Abstract. A study of the formation and movement of sequential Sporadic-E layers observed during the night-time hours at two Indian low-latitude stations, SHAR (dip 10°N) and Waltair (dip 20°N) shows that the layer are formed around 19:00 h. IST at altitudes of ~180 km. They descend to the normal E-region altitude of about 100 km in three to four hours and becomes blanketing type of Es before they disappear. However, the absence of these descending layers at an equatorial station, Trivandrum (dip 2°N) gives the experimental evidence for wind shear theory. The meridional neutral wind derived from the height variation of the F-layer showed significant poleward wind during the descent of these layers. Hence it is inferred that these layers are formed as a consequence of the convergence of plasma by the poleward wind and the equatorward propagating gravity waves (inferred from the height fluctuations of F-layer).Key words. Ionosphere (active experiments; equatorial ionosphere · ionospheric irregularities)


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