High-resolution bistatic CW interferometry for auroral ionospheric studies: Preliminary results

Journal Article · Wed Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA093iA06p05777· OSTI ID:5153278

Haldoupis, C; Sofko, G J; Koehler, J A; Prikryl, P; McKibben, M J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon (Canada)

The monostatic coherent radar interferometer technique which has been applied in the past few years to studies of short-wavelength plasma turbulence in the earth's ionosphere can provide, in addition to the Doppler spectrum, estimates of mean size, mean angular position, and velocity transverse to the viewing direction. Here, the authors, describe the conversion of an inexpensive bistatic 50-MHz continuous wave (CW) Doppler system to an interferometer designed to investigate short-term dynamics of highly localized scattering regions in the auroral ionosphere, with mean transverse sizes in the range from about 0.5 to 5.0 km. Preliminary analysis shows, at times, high-coherence echoes, of type I or type III, to originate from localized, strongly unstable regions which are related to dynamic source regions of transient nature with mean azimuthal sizes possibly less than 1 km. The observations suggest that the CW Doppler system, which provides high-quality spectra and excellent temporal resolution, has its measurement capability enhanced significantly when operated as an interferometer, becoming a powerful tool for studying short-term temporal and spatial variations of electrostatic turbulence in the auroral plasma.

• OSTI ID: 5153278
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Vol. 93:A6; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
IONOSPHERE
DYNAMICS
AURORAL ZONES
INTERFEROMETERS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DIAGNOSTICS
RADAR
SCATTERING
TURBULENCE
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
MECHANICS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
RANGE FINDERS
640201* - Atmospheric Physics- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena