Electron Acceleration by Wave Processes in the Earth's Ionosphere.
Abstract
The nonlinear modification of the electron distribution function caused by the interaction with a resonant electrostatic field is studied analytically using a perturbation analysis. This interaction produces tail heating and for a limited range of parameter values can form a bump in the distribution, which may lead to emission of secondary waves. These results are applied to the ionosphere's F and upper E regions in the context of ionospheric modification experiments using ground-based powerful HF transmitters. An analytic study is made of the second order modifications produced on the fast tail electron distribution function of a nonuniform plasma subjected to resonant excitation by wave sources. The source models considered can represent excitation by external electromagnetic waves propagating obliquely to the plasma density gradient, mode-conversion of electrostatic whistlers, beat of two transparent electromagnetic waves, and direct conversion from ripples in the density profile.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 31, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA186110
Entities
People
- George J. Morales
- J. E. Maggs
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles