Theoretical Scaling Laws for the Spectrum of Density Irregularities in the High and Low Latitude Ionosphere,
Abstract
Constraints on and scaling laws associated with the spectrum of density irregularities in the high and low latitude ionosphere are derived using conservation laws implied by the fundamental nonlinear plasma fluid equations describing low frequency, long wavelength ionospheric plasma dynamics and structure. For the high latitude case we discuss the spectrum implied by interchange-like plasma instabilities and apply our results to convecting ionospheric plasma enhancements, blobs, patches, and polar cap arcs. For the low latitude ionosphere, we derive scaling laws for the density spectrum associated with the Rayleigh-Taylor instability and make applications to equatorial spread-F. For both the high and low latitude cases, we distinguish the spectral behavior to be expected in both the lower and upper ionosphere.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 03, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADP006279
Entities
People
- Michael J. Keskinen
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory