A multiple-mode three-dimensional model of VLF propagation in the earth-ionosphere waveguide in the presence of localized D region disturbances

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92JA01529· OSTI ID:7061062

Poulsen, W L; Inan, U S; Bell, T F ^[1]

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1. Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

Transient localized D region disturbances, such as those associated with lightning discharges, affect the characteristics of VLF waves propagating in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. In particular, both phase and amplitude changes in the subionospheric signal can be observed at receiving sites as a result of the wave scattering that takes place in the disturbed region. In the present paper we present a multiple-mode three- dimensional model of VLF propagation in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide in the presence of localized D region disturbances. The model takes into account great circle (GC) propagation paths with realistic ground and ionospheric conductivity changes that result in mode conversion along the path. It is assumed that conductivity changes transverse to the GC paths are negligible except in the vicinity of the D region disturbance and that mode coupling is negligible within the distributed region. This new model is applied to experimental observations and is found to be in general agreement. The diagnostics potential of the model for characterizing energetic particle precipitation events is discussed. 33 refs., 14 figs.

• OSTI ID: 7061062
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 98:A2; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COUPLING
D REGION
DISTURBANCES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONOSPHERE
LIGHTNING
MODE CONVERSION
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS
ULTRALOW FREQUENCY RADIATION
WAVE PROPAGATION