Ionospheric heating with oblique high-frequency waves

Journal Article · Sat Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA095iA12p21179· OSTI ID:5311416

Field, Jr, E C; Bloom, R M ^[1]; Kossey, P A ^[2]

---

1. Pacific-Sierra Research Corp., Los Angeles, CA (USA)
2. Air Force Geophysical Lab., Bedford, MA (USA)

This paper presents calculations of ionospheric electron temperature and density perturbations and ground-level signal changes produced by intense oblique high-frequency (HF) radio waves. The analysis takes into account focusing at caustics, the consequent Joule heating of the surrounding plasma, heat conduction, diffusion, and recombination processes, these being the effects of a powerful oblique modifying wave. It neglects whatever plasma instabilities might occur. The authors then seek effects on a secondary test wave that is propagated along the same path as the first. The calculations predict ground-level field strength reductions of several decibels in the test wave for modifying waves having effective radiated power (ERP) in the 85- to 90-dBW range. These field strength changes are similar in sign, magnitude, and location to ones measured in Soviet experiments. The location of the signal change is sensitive to the frequency and the model ionosphere assumed; so future experiments should employ the widest possible range of frequencies and propagation conditions. An ERP of 90 dBW seems to be a sort of threshold that, if exceeded, might result in substantial rather than small signal changes. The conclusions are based solely on Joule heating and subsequent refraction of waves passing through caustic regions.

• OSTI ID: 5311416
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 95:A12; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CALCULATION METHODS
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
DIFFUSION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC HEATING
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
GROUND LEVEL
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
INSTABILITY
IONOSPHERE
JOULE HEATING
LEVELS
MODIFICATIONS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA HEATING
PLASMA INSTABILITY
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
REFRACTION
RESISTANCE HEATING
WAVE PROPAGATION