ULF wave generation through particle precipitation induced by VLF transmitters

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA081i019p03316· OSTI ID:7266897

Bell, T F

Recent experiments have shown that significant fluxes (10/sup -1/ erg/cm/sup 2/ s) of energetic electrons can be precipitated into the ionosphere at times when VLF emissions are triggered in the magnetosphere by whistlers. If similar fluxes can be produced during the artificial triggering of VLF emissions by ground- or satellite-based VLF transmitters, then a powerful tool would be available for studying the dynamics of the lower ionosphere. In the present paper we explore the feasibility of a technique to stimulate ULF waves in the ionosphere using the tool of controlled particle precipitation. Periodic (period of >1/2 s) transmissions from a VLF ground-based transmitter are used to trigger VLF emissions and precipitate energetic electrons. The periodic precipitated flux modifies the conductivity of the D and E regions, inducing periodic changes in current flow which in turn result in the generation of Pc 1 ULF waves. Calculations indicate that ULF wave amplitudes of 1 ..gamma.. may be produced in this process. Furthermore, steady state magnetic field perturbations may reach 100 ..gamma.. at ground level. Since both these amplitudes would be readily measurable with present techniques, the results lend plausibility to the idea of attempting to produce detectable ULF waves by using ground- or satellite-based VLF transmitters. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Radioscience Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305
• OSTI ID: 7266897
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 81:19; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201 -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
D REGION
E REGION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETOSPHERE
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
TRANSMISSION
ULTRALOW FREQUENCY RADIATION