Ionospheric Electron Density Profile and Related Studies.
Abstract
There are many problems of practical interest in the study of the Earth's ionosphere that require a detailed knowledge of the electron energy distribution and the electron density profile. This report summarizes our theoretical efforts in explaining the observed electron distribution functions. Boltzmann-Fokker-planck theory has been used, and the resulting kinetic equation has been analyzed. A systematic study of the collision operators that appear in the kinetic equation has been done. Electrostatic plasma instabilities have been investigated in order to explain the observed anomalous structure of the electron energy distribution in the 2-4 eV range. In a related study, the problem of auroral proton precipitation has been solved analytically. The analysis enables us to calculate the precipitating proton-hydrogen fluxes, energy deposition rate, and the electron density profile resulting from ionization. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 03, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA097712
Entities
People
- Bamandas Basu
- Ed R. Smith
- Tien S. Chang
Organizations
- Boston College