Sporadic E Theory. I. Collision-Geomagnetic Equilibrium

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A simple equilibrium theory of ionization transport in the ionosphere is described which predicts a tendency for thin layers of overdense ionization (sporadic E layers) to form in the E-region. Such layers can be produced by the dominance of any of five mechanisms of ionization convergence. Three of these mechanisms involve the neutral wind shear and two involve the neutral wind. The theory assumes that ambipolar diffusion of the electrons and heavy positive ions takes place under the influence of the forces due to neutral collisions and the geomagnetic field. The layer formation tendency is strongest for the principal part of the wind shear convergence mechanism in the lower E-region at those altitudes where the neutral vorticity is antiparallel to the geomagnetic field, land in the upper E-region where the neutral vorticity is perpendicular to the geomagnetic field in the westward (eastward) sense in the northern (southern) geomagnetic hemisphere. The layer formation tendency is strongest for t... Abstract A simple equilibrium theory of ionization transport in the ionosphere is described which predicts a tendency for thin layers of overdense ionization (sporadic E layers) to form in the E-region. Such layers can be produced by the dominance of any of five mechanisms of ionization convergence. Three of these mechanisms involve the neutral wind shear and two involve the neutral wind. The theory assumes that ambipolar diffusion of the electrons and heavy positive ions takes place under the influence of the forces due to neutral collisions and the geomagnetic field. The layer formation tendency is strongest for the principal part of the wind shear convergence mechanism in the lower E-region at those altitudes where the neutral vorticity is antiparallel to the geomagnetic field, land in the upper E-region where the neutral vorticity is perpendicular to the geomagnetic field in the westward (eastward) sense in the northern (southern) geomagnetic hemisphere. The layer formation tendency is strongest for t...

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: