Radar observations of density gradients, electric fields, and plasma irregularities near polar cap patches in the context of the gradient‐drift instability

We present observations of plasma density gradients, electric fields, and small‐scale plasma irregularities near a polar cap patch made by the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network radar at Rankin Inlet (RKN) and the northern face of Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar (RISR‐N). RKN echo power and occurrence are analyzed in the context of gradient‐drift instability (GDI) theory, with a particular focus on the previously uninvestigated 2‐D dependencies on wave propagation, electric field, and gradient vectors, with the latter two quantities evaluated directly from RISR‐N measurements. It is shown that higher gradient and electric field components along the wave vector generally lead to the higher observed echo occurrence, which is consistent with the expected higher GDI growth rate, but the relationship with echo power is far less straightforward. The RKN echo power increases monotonically as the predicted linear growth rate approaches zero from negative values but does not continue this trend into positive growth rate values, in contrast with GDI predictions. The observed greater consistency of echo occurrence with GDI predictions suggests that GDI operating in the linear regime can control basic plasma structuring, but measured echo strength may be affected by other processes and factors, such as multistep or nonlinear processes or a shear‐driven instability.