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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Modeling of HF propagation and heating in the ionosphere

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7173960
A comprehensive numerical implementation of plasma geometric optics is being enhanced and adapted to the problem of self-consistent ionospheric propagation of high power, high frequency (HF) radar signals. The emphasis in this work is on realistic and rigorous description of the propagating waves so that geometric and spectral characteristics of nonlinear ionospheric effects can be predicted in detail. When improvements are complete, a plasma geometric optics code will be used in conjunction with an ionospheric transport code to determine self-consistently the HF radiation field and quasilinear modifications of ionospheric plasma properties due to ohmic dissipation of the HF radiation. This allows detailed study of nonlinear phenomena such as beam self-focusing, formation of large-scale density cavities and striations, and induced wave ducting. An overview of the theory underlying the modeling of radiation propagation and ohmic power deposition is given, and current results from the plasma geometric optics code together with associated ionospheric power deposition profiles are presented. Detailed structure of ordinary and extraordinary mode caustics formed in a manner consistent with a realistic antenna pattern and birefringence upon entrance into the ionosphere are evident.
Research Organization:
TRW Space and Technology Group, Redondo Beach, CA (United States). Applied Technology Div.
OSTI ID:
7173960
Report Number(s):
AD-P-006505/2/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English