Imaging of ionospheric density structures and plasma drifts using artificial illumination by high-power radio waves

Author

Bernhardt, Paul A. ; Selcher, Craig A. ; Siefring, Carl L. ; Gerken, Elizabeth

Author_Institution

Plasma Phys. Div., Naval Res. Lab., Washington, DC, USA

Volume

33

Issue

2

fYear

2005

fDate

4/1/2005 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

504

Lastpage

505

Abstract

Artificial aurora from energetic electron fluxes may be generated by powerful radio waves beamed into the ionosphere. This radio induced aurora (RIA) provides optical diagnostics for measurements of field aligned irregularities, artificial plasma cavities, and plasma drifts in the E and F layer ionosphere. High-power radio waves coupled with low-light-level optical sensors provide unique measurements of the upper atmosphere.

Keywords

E-region; F-region; aurora; ionospheric disturbances; ionospheric electromagnetic wave propagation; plasma density; plasma diagnostics; plasma flow; E layer ionosphere; F layer ionosphere; artificial aurora; artificial illumination; artificial plasma cavities; energetic electron fluxes; field aligned irregularities; high-power radiowaves; ionospheric density structure imaging; low-light-level optical sensors; optical diagnostics; plasma drift imaging; radioinduced aurora; upper atmosphere; Atmospheric measurements; Electron beams; Ionosphere; Lighting; Optical imaging; Optical sensors; Plasma density; Plasma diagnostics; Plasma measurements; Plasma waves;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Plasma Science, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0093-3813

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/TPS.2005.845917

Filename

1420548