Relationship between ionospherically produced elf/vlf signals and the dynamo current system at Arecibo

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5903166

Allshouse, R L

This thesis describes a theoretical and experimental study of the relationship between the dynamo current system and the elf/vlf signals produced by periodic heating, via powerful h-f waves, of the lower ionosphere. Theory is developed that allows prediction of the direction of the major axis of the magnetic field polarization ellipse at ground level from the direction of the dynamo current system as deduced from magnetometer records. Single-slab and multi-slab ionospheric models are used to explain the effect of the lower D region upon the direction of the major axis of the magnetic field polarization ellipse at ground level. A sensitivity study shows that the D region collisions frequency is the most important factor in determining the relationship between the direction of the dynamo current system and the direction of the major axis of the magnetic field polarization ellipse major axis at ground level. Experimental evidence is presented to show that the direction of the major axis of the magnetic field polarization ellipse observed on the ground changes, as a function to time of day, in apparent synchronism with the changing direction of the dynamo current system. Evidence presented shows that the elf/vlf signals described in this work are ionospheric in origin.

• Research Organization: Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5903166
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
HEATING
HIGH-FREQUENCY HEATING
IONOSPHERE
LONG WAVE RADIATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA HEATING
POLARIZATION
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION