Quasi-Steady State Multi-Plasma Cloud Configuration in the Ionosphere.
Abstract
The morphology of a finite array of plasma density enhancements (multi plasma clouds) in the ionosphere is studied in order to determine the condition under which the system undergoes a quasi steady state E X B drift. In such a system, the polarization induced self electric field inside all the plasma clouds must be essentially equal and uniform. The method of image dipoles previously developed for multi equatorial spread F bubbles is used to calculate the instantaneous electric field exactly. It is found that, even for small separation distances for which the inter cloud interaction is significant, the electric field inside the clouds can remain essentially uniform for typical ionospheric plasma cloud parameters so that the multiple plasma clouds drift in unison without changing their geometrical shapes. This constitutes a quasi steady state configuration. The implications on the behavior of late time plasma cloud striations are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA141532
Entities
People
- Jiayu Chen
- P. Satyanarayana
- Sidney L. Ossakow
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory