ELECTRON THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY IN THE IONOSPHERE,

Abstract

The flow of thermal energy through the electron gas of the ionosphere in response to gradients in electron temperature plays an important part in determining the actual electron temperature profile. In this paper it is shown that the neutral atmosphere can significantly reduce the electron thermal conductivity by decreasing the electron mean free path below these distances typical of a fully ionized gas. A basic equation for the thermal conductivity is developed and several examples are given of its application. It is shown that for typical atmospheric conditions there is essentially no heat conduction below 150 km while significant reductions must exist to at least 200 km. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1966
Accession Number
AD0805428

Entities

People

  • Peter M. Banks

Organizations

  • Pennsylvania State University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Conductivity
  • Electron Gas
  • Electrons
  • Equations
  • Gases
  • Ionized Gases
  • Ionosphere
  • Mean Free Path
  • Thermal Conductivity

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics