Observation of weak HF electrostatic turbulence in the auroral ionosphere

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA087iA07p05151· OSTI ID:6717114

Pottelette, R; Illiano, J M

Results are presented from the HF electrostatic wave detection experiment flown on the PORCUPINE F3 rocket. In this experiment, we measured the cross spectrum of natural random high-frequency waves received on two small dipoles. We observed natural electrostatic emissions around the three-halves harmonic of the electron gyrofrequency ( f/sub b/) and also around the upper hybrid frequency ( f/sub u/h). A linear calculation shows that the amplitudes of these emissions are above the thermal noise level for the plasma. To explain the observations, it is necessary to take into account, in addition to the cool isotropic plasma, the presence of low-energy precipitating suprathermal electrons (1--20 eV). It appears that these electrons are highly anisotropic and enhance greatly the noise around 3/2 f/sub b/. However, the electron distribution function remains stable and the most intense emissions are observed around f/sub u/h.

• Research Organization: Centre de Recherches en Physique de l'Environnement, 45045 Orleans La Source, France
• OSTI ID: 6717114
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 87:A7; 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
AURORAL ZONES
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
IONOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA WAVES
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SHORT WAVE RADIATION
TURBULENCE