A critical comparison of ionospheric depletion chemicals
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
Six chemicals, H{sub 2}, H{sub 2}O, CO{sub 2}, SF{sub 6}, CF{sub 3}BR, and Ni(CO){sub 4}, are considered as ionospheric modification agents. Each of these species reacts in the F region to produce localized plasma depletions. The first three interact with O{sup +} and yield polyatomic ions which dissociatively recombine with electrons to give neutrals. The last three dissociatively attach electrons to produce heavy negative ions which become mutually neutralized by reactions with O{sup +}. The effectiveness of these chemicals depends on the amount which goes into the vapor state upon release. Thermodynamic calculations show that H{sub 2}O has the lowest vapor yield of about 20% from a heated, pressurized tank. Over 60% of the other substances should be vented in gaseous form. Based on estimates of plasma density reduction and airglow stimulation, nickel carbonyl is the most efficient of the six species for modifying the nighttime ionosphere. During the daytime, CF{sub 3}BR and SF{sub 6} provide the largest depletions.
- OSTI ID:
- 5398693
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Vol. 92:A5; ISSN 0148-0227
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
GENERAL PHYSICS
IONOSPHERE
MODIFICATIONS
PLASMA DENSITY
AIRGLOW
BARIUM
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBONYLS
CESIUM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
ELECTRONS
HYDROGEN
IONIZATION
LITHIUM
MOLECULAR IONS
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA INSTABILITY
POLYATOMIC MOLECULES
STRONTIUM
SULFUR FLUORIDES
XENON
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHARGED PARTICLES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
EVALUATION
FERMIONS
FLUIDS
FLUORIDES
FLUORINE COMPOUNDS
GASES
HALIDES
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
INSTABILITY
IONS
LEPTONS
METALS
MOLECULES
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
RARE GASES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
661320* - Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena- (1992-)