Linear theory of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the equatorial ionsophere

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA084iA11p06573· OSTI ID:5614170

Russel, D A; Ott, E

We present a liner theory of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the equatorial ionosphere. For a purely exponential density profile, we find that no unstable eigenmode solutions exist. For a particular model ionosphere with an F peak, unstable eigenmode solutions exist only for sufficiently small horizontal wave numbers. In the later case, purely exponential growth at a rate identical to that for the sharp boundary instability is found. To clarify the situation in the case that eigenmodes do not exist, we solve the initial value problem for the linearized ion equation of motion in the long time asymptotic limit. Ion inertia and ion-neutral collisions are included. Assuming straight magnetic field lines, we find that when eigenmodes do not exist the growth of the response to an impulse is slower than exponential viz, t=/sup -1/2/ exp (..gamma../sup t/) below the F peak and t/sup -3/2/ exp(..gamma../sup t/) above the peak; and we determine ..gamma...

• Research Organization: Department of Electrical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
• OSTI ID: 5614170
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 84:A11; 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
COLLISIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
INSTABILITY
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
ION COLLISIONS
ION-MOLECULE COLLISIONS
IONOSPHERE
LOW-BETA PLASMA
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MOLECULE COLLISIONS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY