Dynamics Explorer observationns of equatorial spread F: Evidence for drift waves

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL009i009p00993· OSTI ID:6848206

Hoegy, W R; Curtis, S A; Brace, L H; Maynard, N C; Heelis, R A

Recent DE-2 data from the Langmuir probe, vector electric field, and ion drift meter instruments are employed to study equatorial spread F in the frequency regime of the low frequency drift and the lower hybrid drift instabilities. Strong electron density gradients observed along the orbital path through the topside equatorial F region correspond to regions of high electric field waves and large ion drift velocities. The electric field waves are seen in two distinct wavelength ranges which correspond to the parameter regimes of the low frequency drift and the lower hybrid drift instabilities. In the smaller of the two wavelength ranges the lower hybrid drift instability is found to be unstable, based on the ion drift velocity and the other plasma parameters measured on DE-2, and using published theory. Thus there is experimental evidence that the lower hybrid drift instability may produce the observed short wavelength waves without invoking a cascading mechanism.

• Research Organization: NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
• OSTI ID: 6848206
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 9:9; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
DRIFT INSTABILITY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRON DENSITY
F REGION
INSTABILITY
IONOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA DRIFT
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PLASMA MICROINSTABILITIES
PLASMA WAVES
SPREAD F