Initial results form the operation of two argon ion generators in the auroral ionosphere

Journal Article · Fri May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA092iA05p04601· OSTI ID:5557384

Erlandson, R E; Cahill, Jr, L J ^[1]; Pollock, C J; Arnoldy, R L ^[2]; Scales, W A; Kintner, P M ^[3]

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1. Univ. of Minnesota, Minneapolis (United States)
2. Univ. of New Hampshire, Durham (United States)
3. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (United States)

Two argon ion generators were operated during a sounding rocket flight from Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland, on February 10, 1985. The ion generators were flown to investigate ion beam dynamics and beam effects on the ionosphere. The other major purpose of the flight was investigation of auroral electrodynamics as the rocket passed over auroral arcs. One generator emitted an ion beam perpendicular to the magnetic field and the other a beam parallel to the field. Ion detectors, an electric field meter and wave receivers were carried on the main payload to provide diagnostic measurements during the ion beam operations. Seventeen operations of the generators were observed over a 480-s interval before the rocket reentered the atmosphere. There was evidence of heating of the ionosphere around the subpayload during each ion beam emission. Ions of energy 100 to 200 eV, the ion beam energy range, were observed at the main payload during the first seven operations of each generator, with payload separation distances up to 800 m, reaching the main payload from directions appropriate for beam ions. Waves were observed during most of the first seven operations of each beam. Hydrogen, helium and oxygen cyclotron harmonics were observed in some of the perpendicular-beam operations. Waves were weak or absent during the first and third parallel-beam operations at separation distances near 80 and 320 m. In general the waves generated by the parallel beam were weaker than those generated by the perpendicular beam.

• OSTI ID: 5557384
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 92:A5; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
ARGON IONS
AURORAE
AURORAL ZONES
BEAM DYNAMICS
BEAM INJECTION
BEAM-PLASMA SYSTEMS
BEAMS
CHARGED PARTICLES
DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRODYNAMICS
HEATING
ION BEAMS
IONOSPHERE
IONS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA HEATING
ROCKETS