The role of vibrationally excited oxygen and nitrogen in the D and E regions of the ionosphere

1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (10/11) ◽  
pp. 1085-1090 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Pavlov
Keyword(s):  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Anharmonic Oscillator ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Vibrationally Excited ◽  
Continuity Equations ◽  
D Region ◽  
E Region ◽  
Excited Oxygen

Abstract. In this paper we present the results of a study of the effect of vibrationally excited oxygen, O*2, and nitrogen, N*2, on the electron density, Ne, and the electron temperature, Te, in the D and E regions. The sources of O*2 are O-atom recombination, the photodissociation of O3, and the reaction of O3 with O at D region altitudes. The first calculations of O*2( j) number densities, Nj, are obtained by solving continuity equations for the models of harmonic and anharmonic oscillator energy levels, j=1-22. It is found that day time values of Nj are less than nighttime values. We also show that the photoionization of O*2 ( j ≥ 11) by Lα-radiation has no influence on the D region Ne. In the nighttime D region the photoionization O*2 ( j ≥ 11) by scattered Lα-radiation can be a new source of O+2. We show that the N*2 and O*2 de-excitation effect on the electron temperature is small in the E region of the ionosphere and cannot explain experimentally observed higher electron temperatures.

scholarly journals Examining the role of flare-driven D-region electron density enhancement on Doppler Flash

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shibaji Chakraborty ◽  
Liying Qian ◽  
J. Michael Ruohoniemi ◽  
Joseph Baker ◽  
Joseph McInerney
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Density Enhancement ◽  
D Region

scholarly journals Survey of electron density changes in the daytime ionosphere over the Arecibo observatory due to lightning and solar flares

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitano L. da Silva ◽  
Sophia D. Salazar ◽  
Christiano G. M. Brum ◽  
Pedrina Terra
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Lower Ionosphere ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
Radio Waves ◽  
D Region ◽  
E Region ◽  
Arecibo Observatory

AbstractOptical observations of transient luminous events and remote-sensing of the lower ionosphere with low-frequency radio waves have demonstrated that thunderstorms and lightning can have substantial impacts in the nighttime ionospheric D region. However, it remains a challenge to quantify such effects in the daytime lower ionosphere. The wealth of electron density data acquired over the years by the Arecibo Observatory incoherent scatter radar (ISR) with high vertical spatial resolution (300-m in the present study), combined with its tropical location in a region of high lightning activity, indicate a potentially transformative pathway to address this issue. Through a systematic survey, we show that daytime sudden electron density changes registered by Arecibo’s ISR during thunderstorm times are on average different than the ones happening during fair weather conditions (driven by other external factors). These changes typically correspond to electron density depletions in the D and E region. The survey also shows that these disturbances are different than the ones associated with solar flares, which tend to have longer duration and most often correspond to an increase in the local electron density content.

scholarly journals Cosmic radio noise absorption events associated with equatorward drifting arcs during a substorm growth phase

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 1675-1686 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. T. Jussila ◽  
A. T. Aikio ◽  
S. Shalimov ◽  
S. R. Marple
Keyword(s):  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Growth Phase ◽  
Energetic Electron ◽  
Cosmic Radio ◽  
Radio Noise ◽  
Particle Precipitation ◽  
Noise Absorption ◽  
D Region ◽  
E Region

Abstract. Cosmic radio noise absorption (CNA) events associated with equatorward drifting arcs during a substorm growth phase are studied by using simultaneous optical auroral, IRIS imaging riometer and EISCAT incoherent scatter radar measurements. The CNA is generally attributed to energetic particle precipitation in the D-region. However, it has been argued that plasma irregularities or enhanced electron temperature (Te) in the E-region could also produce CNA. Both of the latter mechanisms are related to intense electric fields in the ionosphere. We present two events which occur during a substorm growth phase in the evening MLT sector. In both of the events, an auroral arc is drifting equatorward, together with a region of CNA (auroral absorption bay) located on the equatorward side and outside of the arc. Both of the events are associated with enhanced D-region electron density on the equatorward side of the auroral arc, but in the second event, a region of intense electric field and enhanced electron temperature in the E-region is also located on the equatorward side of the arc. We show that in the studied events neither plasma instabilities nor enhanced Te play a significant role in producing the measured CNA, but the CNA in the vicinity of the equatorward drifting arcs is produced by D-region energetic electron precipitation. Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; particle precipitation; electric fields and currents)

scholarly journals Modelling the influence of meteoric smoke particles on artificial heating in the D-region

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 1055-1068
Author(s):  
Margaretha Myrvang ◽  
Carsten Baumann ◽  
Ingrid Mann
Keyword(s):  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Radio Wave ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Electron Attachment ◽  
Radio Waves ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Smoke Particles ◽  
D Region ◽  
Meteoric Smoke ◽  
Artificial Heating

Abstract. We investigate if the presence of meteoric smoke particles (MSPs) influences the electron temperature during artificial heating in the D-region. By transferring the energy of powerful high-frequency radio waves into thermal energy of electrons, artificial heating increases the electron temperature. Artificial heating depends on the height variation of electron density. The presence of MSPs can influence the electron density through charging of MSPs by electrons, which can reduce the number of free electrons and even result in height regions with strongly reduced electron density, so-called electron bite-outs. We simulate the influence of the artificial heating by calculating the intensity of the upward-propagating radio wave. The electron temperature at each height is derived from the balance of radio wave absorption and cooling through elastic and inelastic collisions with neutral species. The influence of MSPs is investigated by including results from a one-dimensional height-dependent ionospheric model that includes electrons, positively and negatively charged ions, neutral MSPs, singly positively and singly negatively charged MSPs, and photochemistry such as photoionization and photodetachment. We apply typical ionospheric conditions and find that MSPs can influence both the magnitude and the height profile of the heated electron temperature above 80 km; however, this depends on ionospheric conditions. During night, the presence of MSPs leads to more efficient heating and thus a higher electron temperature above altitudes of 80 km. We found differences of up to 1000 K in electron temperature for calculations with and without MSPs. When MSPs are present, the heated electron temperature decreases more slowly. The presence of MSPs does not much affect the heating below 80 km for night conditions. For day conditions, the difference between the heated electron temperature with MSPs and without MSPs is less than 25 K. We also investigate model runs using MSP number density profiles for autumn, summer and winter. The night-time electron temperature is expected to be 280 K hotter in autumn than during winter conditions, while the sunlit D-region is 8 K cooler for autumn MSP conditions than for the summer case, depending on altitude. Finally, an investigation of the electron attachment efficiency to MSPs shows a significant impact on the amount of chargeable dust and consequently on the electron temperature.

The influence of meteoric smoke particles on the artificial heating effect in the D-region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaretha Myrvang ◽  
Carsten Baumann ◽  
Ingrid Mann
Keyword(s):  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Ionospheric Model ◽  
Heating Effect ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Smoke Particles ◽  
D Region ◽  
Meteoric Smoke ◽  
Artificial Heating ◽  
Night Condition

<p>Artificial heating increases the electron temperature by transferring the energy of powerful high frequency radio waves into thermal energy of electrons. Current models most likely overestimate the effect of artificial heating in the D-region compared to observations [1, 2]. We investigate if the presence of meteoric smoke particles can explain the discrepancy between observations and model. The ionospheric D-region varies in altitude range from about 50 km to 100 km. In the D-region, the electron density is low, the neutral density is relatively high and it is here that meteors ablate. The ablated meteoric material is believed to recondense to form meteoric smoke particles (MSP). The presence of MSP in the D-region can influence plasma densities through charging of dust by electrons and ions, depending on different ionospheric conditions. Charging of dust influence the electron density mainly through electron attachment to the dust, which results in height regions with less electron density. The heating effect varies with electron density height profile [3], since the reduction in radio wave energy is due to absorption by electrons. We study artificial heating of the D-region and consider MSP by using a one-dimensional ionospheric model [4], which also includes photochemistry. In the ionospheric model, we assume that artificial heating only influences the chemical reactions that depend on electron temperature. We model the electron temperature increase during artificial heating with an electron density calculated from the ionospheric model, where we will do the modelling with and without the MSP and compare day and night condition. Our results show a difference in electron temperature increase with the MSP compared to without the MSP and between day and night condition.</p><p>References:</p><ul><li>[1] Senior, A., M. T. Rietveld, M. J. Kosch and W. Singer (2010): «Diagnosing radio plasma heating in the polar summer mesosphere using cross modulation: Theory and observations». Journal of geophysical research, Vol. 115, A09318.</li> <li>[2] Kero, A., C.-F Enell, Th. Ulich, E. Turunen, M. T. Rietveld and F. H. Honary (2007): «Statistical signature of active D-region HF heating in IRIS riometer data from 1994-2004». Ann. Geophys., 25, 407-415.</li> <li>[3] Kassa, M., O. Havnes and E. Belova (2005): «The effect of electron bite-outs on artificial electron heating and the PMSE overshoot». Annales Geophysicae, 23, 3633-3643.</li> <li>[4] Baumann, C., M. Rapp, A. Kero and C.-F. Enell (2013): «Meteor smoke influence on the D-region charge balance –review of recent in situ measurements and one-dimensional model results». Ann. Geophys., 31, 2049-2062.</li> </ul>

The role of vibrationally excited nitrogen in the formation of the mid-latitude negative ionospheric storms

1994 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 554-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. V. Pavlov
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Storm ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Electron Gas ◽  
Energy Balance Equation ◽  
Ion Temperature ◽  
Ionospheric Storm ◽  
Vibrationally Excited ◽  
Electron Density And Temperature ◽  
Excited Nitrogen

Abstract. Millstone Hill ionospheric storm time measurements of the electron density and temperature during the ionospheric storms (15-16 June 1965; 29-30 September 1969 and 17-18 August 1970) are compared with model results. The model of the Earth's ionosphere and plasmasphere includes interhemispheric coupling, the H+, O+(4S), O+(2D), O+(2P), NO+, O+2 and N+2 ions, electrons, photoelectrons, the electron and ion temperature, vibrationally excited N2 and the components of thermospheric wind. In order to model the electron temperature at the time of the 16 June 1965 negative storm, the heating rate of the electron gas by photoelectrons in the energy balance equation was multiplied by the factors 5-30 at he altitude above 700 km for the period 4.50-12.00 LT, 16 June 1965. The [O]/[N2] MSIS-86 decrease and vibrationally excited N2 effects are enough to account for the electron density depressions at Millstone Hill during the three storms. The factor of 2 (for 27-30 September 1969 magnetic storm) and the & actor 2.7 (for 16-18 August 1970 magnetic storm) reduction in the daytime peak density due to enhanced vibrationally excited N2 is brought about by the increase in the O++N2 rate factor.

scholarly journals Modelling of the influence of meteoric smoke particles on artificial heating in the D-region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaretha Myrvang ◽  
Carsten Baumann ◽  
Ingrid Mann
Keyword(s):  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Radio Wave ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Radio Waves ◽  
Smoke Particles ◽  
Radio Wave Absorption ◽  
D Region ◽  
Meteoric Smoke ◽  
Artificial Heating ◽  
The Difference

Abstract. We investigate if the presence of meteoric smoke particles (MSP) influences the electron temperature during artfical heating in the D-region. The presence of MSP can result in height regions with reduced electron density, so-called electron bite-outs, due to charging of MSP by electrons. Artificial heating depends on the height variation of electron density. By transferring the energy of powerful high frequency radio waves into thermal energy of electrons, artificial heating increases the electron temperature. We simulate the influence of the artificial heating by calculating the intensity of the upward propagating radio wave. The electron temperature at each height is derived from the balance of radio wave absorption and cooling through elastic and inelastic collisions with neutral species. The influence of MSP is investigated by including results from a one-dimensional height-dependent ionospheric model that includes electrons, positively and negatively charged ions, neutral MSP, singly positively and singly negatively charged MSP and photo chemistry such as photo ionization and photo detachment. We apply typical ionospheric conditions and find that MSP can influence both the magnitude and the height profile of the heated electron temperature above 80 km, however this depends on ionospheric conditions. During night, the presence of MSP leads to more efficient heating, and thus a higher electron temperature, above altitudes of 80 km. We found differences up to 1000 K in temperature for calculations with and without MSP. When MSP are present, the heated electron temperature decreases more slowly. The presence of MSP does not much affect the heating below 80 km for night conditions. For day conditions, the difference between the heated electron temperature with MSP and without MSP is less than 25 K.

The role of EEP forcing and background dynamics on the seasonal NO variability in the MLT region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Smith-Johnsen ◽  
Hilde Nesse Tyssøy ◽  
Daniel Marsh ◽  
Anne Smith
Keyword(s):  
Climate Model ◽  
Energetic Electron ◽  
Eddy Diffusion ◽  
Electron Precipitation ◽  
Ion Chemistry ◽  
D Region ◽  
E Region ◽  
Cluster Ion ◽  
Mlt Region

<p><a name="docs-internal-guid-803d1a38-7fff-fefe-52f7-d0a055a4547b"></a><a name="docs-internal-guid-b8d76d48-7fff-149a-6440-413c0de833ae"></a> <span>Energetic electron precipitation (EEP) ionizes the Earth's atmosphere and leads to production of nitric oxide (NO) from 50 to 150 km altitude. In this study we investigate the direct and indirect NO response to EEP using the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). In comparison to observations from SOFIE / AIM (Solar Occultation For Ice Experiment / Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere), we find that EEP production of NO in the D-region is well simulated when both medium energy electron precipitation and negative and cluster ion chemistry is included in the model. However, the main EEP production of NO occurs in the E-region, and there the observed and modeled production differ. This discrepancy impacts also the D-region, and is seasonally dependent with the highest underestimate of D-region NO occuring during winter. The modeled transport across the mesopause during winter is generally weak, but strengthens with increased gravity wave activity. Increased eddy diffusion, increases NO at all altitudes through the polar MLT region</span></p>

scholarly journals Possible interaction between thermal electrons and vibrationally excited N<sub>2</sub> in the lower E-region

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-590 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-I. Oyama ◽  
M. Shimoyama ◽  
J. Y. Liu ◽  
C. Z. Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Distribution Function ◽  
Energy Distribution ◽  
Energy Range ◽  
Laboratory Experiment ◽  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Energy Distribution Function ◽  
Gas Mixture ◽  
Vibrationally Excited ◽  
E Region

Abstract. As one of the tasks to find the energy source(s) of thermal electrons, which elevate(s) electron temperature higher than neutral temperature in the lower ionosphere E-region, energy distribution function of thermal electron was measured with a sounding rocket at the heights of 93–131 km by the applying second harmonic method. The energy distribution function showed a clear hump at the energy of ~0.4 eV. In order to find the reason of the hump, we conducted laboratory experiment. We studied difference of the energy distribution functions of electrons in thermal energy range, which were measured with and without EUV radiation to plasma of N2/Ar and N2/O2 gas mixture respectively. For N2/Ar gas mixture plasma, the hump is not clearly identified in the energy distribution of thermal electrons. On the other hand for N2/O2 gas mixture, which contains vibrationally excited N2, a clear hump is found when irradiated by EUV. The laboratory experiment seems to suggest that the hump is produced as a result of interaction between vibrationally excited N2 and thermal electrons, and this interaction is the most probable heating source for the electrons of thermal energy range in the lower E-region. It is also suggested that energy distribution of the electrons in high energy part may not be Maxwellian, and DC probe measures the electrons which are non Maxwellian, and therefore "electron temperature" is calculated higher.

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