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Structure and dynamics of sporadic layers of ionization in the ionospheric E region
Author(s) -
Kagan L. M.,
Bakhmet'eva N. V.,
Belikovich V. V.,
Tolmacheva A. V.,
Kelley M. C.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/2001rs002534
Subject(s) - ionosonde , ionosphere , ionization , sporadic e propagation , radio wave , sky , physics , transmitter , geophysics , computational physics , high frequency , geology , plasma , computer science , astrophysics , telecommunications , ion , electron density , channel (broadcasting) , quantum mechanics
Layers of ionization that appear in the ionospheric E region sporadically in time have been named sporadic‐ E layers, or E s . These sporadic ionization layers play a crucial role in small‐scale irregularity generation (as they guarantee a plasma density gradient necessary for gradient‐drift processes to develop) and in providing reliability of radio communication and navigation. Despite the fact that E s layers have been studied since the late sixties, a method to visualize the E s horizontal structure was suggested for the first time only recently [ Kagan et al. , 2000]. In the present paper we propose a new type of experiment for the reconstruction of the patchy‐type E s structure and dynamics using a combination of the above‐mentioned method with the method of artificial periodic irregularities (API) [ Belikovich et al. , 1999]. This combined method allows us for the first time to carry out E s tomography, to trace the three‐dimensional (3‐D) dynamics of sporadic ionization clouds and their associated 3‐D neutral motions, and to study the effects of high‐frequency radio waves on the sporadic‐ E layers. The procedure includes recording of the E s horizontal structure and dynamics with an all‐sky camera via radio‐wave‐induced optical emissions in combination with measurements of the E s vertical structure and dynamics by the API method. Both methods complement each other and can be used simultaneously. The experiment is to be equipped with a powerful HF radio wave transmitter, all‐sky cameras, an ionosonde, and an HF digital receiver.