Observations of Plasma Structure 'Freezing' Scale at Equatorial Latitudes
Abstract
This report made the most comprehensive experimental study of the spectral characteristics of equatorial ionospheric F region structure carried out to date. This investigation has included rf propagation measurements as well as in-situ satellite and rocket observations scanning both vertically and horizontally across the magnetic field. Provided that care is taken to avoid strong scatter effects in the propagation data, all of the techniques provide a similar characterization of the plasma concentration fluctuation spectrum-a two- component power law form. The agreement between the horizontal and vertical scans indicates isotropy of the plasma irregularities in the plane perpendicular to the magnetic field. The 'freezing' scale, which we have identified with the break or change of slope of the power spectrum, moves to larger scale sizes with increasing altitude. The dependence of this behavior is well matched by the inverse of the ion-neutral collision frequency. Keywords: Irregularities; Power spectral density; F Layer.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA222529
Entities
People
- J. F. Vickrey
- R. C. Livingston
Organizations
- SRI International