Ion Cyclotron Waves Generated by an Ionospheric Barium Injection.
Abstract
A shaped-charge, barium, plasma-injection experiment was performed in June 1976 at the ERDA Kauai Test Facility. The barium was injected perpendicular to the geomagnetic field at an altitude of 450 km. The second stage of the rocket, located approximately 1.2 km from the point of detonation, contained a payload to measure dc and ac electric fields using a dual spherical-probe antenna. A variety of plasma waves were detected for approximately 20 sec following the detonation. The initial impulse generated ion cyclotron waves at the Ba(+), O2(+), Al(+), OH(+), and O(+) gyrofrequencies. This was followed by a time period during which ion cyclotron waves were observed in passbands between the barium gyrofrequency harmonics up to the oxygen gyrofrequency. At the high frequency end of this range of the spectrum is essentially continuous, i.e., similar to an ion sound wave spectrum. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 13, 1978
- Accession Number
- ADA052841
Entities
People
- Harry C. Koons
- Morris B. Pongratz
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation