The S3-4 Ionospheric Irregularities Satellite Experiment: Probe Detection of Multi-Ion Component Plasmas and Associated Effects on Instability Processes.
Abstract
The pulsed plasma probe technique has been expanded to include simultaneous determinations of absolute electron density, density fluctuations, electron temperature, and mean ion mass with resolution limited only by probe geometry, sheath size, and telemetry. The technique has been designed to test for coupling of electron density variations and ion composition irregularities in multi-component plasmas by the comparison of electron density fluctuation power spectra PN(k) and a newly developed diagnostic parameter, the mean ion mass fluctuation spectra Delta M sub i bar/M sub i bar approaches the limit of P sub M(k). In addition, the experiment extends satellite-borne irregularity spectral analyses down to the 5-20 meter range while attempting to synthesize F-region plasma instability processes on the basis of N sub e, T sub e Delta N sub e, P sub N and P sub M. Initial results demonstrate the expanded diagnostic capability for high spatial resolution measurements of mean ion mass and provide experimental evidence for the role of ion composition in multi-stepped plasma instability processes. Limited analyses of the two power spectral elements raises hopes for the differential between plasma mechanisms that can lead to similar indices in PN. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 11, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA111456
Entities
People
- Edward P. Szuszczewicz
- J. C. Holmes
- Manish Singh
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory