Electron energy and electric field estimates in sprites derived from ionized and neutral   N   2  emissions | Zendy

Morrill J. | Zendy; Bucsela E. | Zendy; Siefring C. | Zendy; Heavner M. | Zendy; Berg S. | Zendy; Moudry D. | Zendy; Slinker S. | Zendy; Fernsler R. | Zendy; Wescott E. | Zendy; Sentman D. | Zendy; Osborne D. | Zendy

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Electron energy and electric field estimates in sprites derived from ionized and neutral N 2 emissions

Author(s) -

Morrill J.,

Bucsela E.,

Siefring C.,

Heavner M.,

Berg S.,

Moudry D.,

Slinker S.,

Fernsler R.,

Wescott E.,

Sentman D.,

Osborne D.

Publication year - 2002

Publication title -

geophysical research letters

Language(s) - English

Resource type - Journals

SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007

H-Index - 273

eISSN - 1944-8007

pISSN - 0094-8276

DOI - 10.1029/2001gl014018

Subject(s) - sprite (computer graphics) , ionization , electric field , atomic physics , physics , excitation , ion , electron , electron ionization , plasma , quantum mechanics , computer science , computer vision

During the EXL98 aircraft mission, sprites and blue jets were observed by narrow band cameras that measure the N 2 + 1NG (0,1) band at 4278Å and the N 2 2PG (0,0) band at 3370Å. We discuss the observations (∼1km resolution), instrumental and atmospheric corrections, and altitude profiles of ionized (1NG) and neutral (2PG) emission observed during a specific sprite. The ratio of ionized‐to‐neutral emission indicates a relative enhancement of ion emission below 55km. Characteristic electron energies ( E Ch ) and electric fields ( E ) are derived from these emission ratios using excitation rates computed from a model that solves the Boltzmann equation as a function of electric field. Up to 55km E follows the breakdown field ( E k ) and E Ch is ∼2.2eV. Above 55km E drops below E k and E Ch drops to ∼1.75eV near 60km.

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