Electron density and electron neutral collision frequency in the ionosphere using plasma impedance probe measurements

Spencer, E. A.; Patra, S.; Andriyas, Tushar; Swenson, C.; Ward, Jeffrey D.; Barjatya, Aroh

doi:10.1029/2007ja013004

Cited by 18 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(28 reference statements)

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“…Figure shows a representative data set for ρ . Additional material properties of the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere are also shown: the electron number density n e from IRI‐12 (Bilitza et al, ) and the electron‐neutral collision frequency ν en computed as a weighted average of O 2 , and N 2 electron collision frequencies,

ν_{e n} = false(n_{N_{2}} ν_{N_{2}} + n_{O_{2}} ν_{O_{2}} false) false/ false(n_{N_{2}} + n_{O_{2}} false)

(Spencer et al, ) with number densities

n_{N_{2}}

and

n_{O_{2}}

from NRLMSIS‐00, and collision frequencies

ν_{N_{2}}

and

ν_{O_{2}}

from Schunk and Nagy ().…”

Section: The Physics Of X‐ray Flare Impact On the Lower Ionospherementioning

confidence: 99%

A Parameterized Model of X‐Ray Solar Flare Effects on the Lower Ionosphere and HF Propagation

2019

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We present a parameterized X-ray solar flare effects model relating the physics of radiation transport to the observable impact of solar flares on low-altitude ionospheric absorption of High Frequency (HF) signals. Tunable parameters of time-varying flare spectral energy density and characteristic flare temperature provide a novel capability to simulate HF experiments over a wide range of X-ray solar flare behavior. Results from our model are consistent with HF propagation data collected over a period of heightened solar flare activity during 5-7 September 2017, including M and X class solar flares. Our predictions and measurements are compared with results from D Region Absorption Prediction (Akmaev et al., 2010, https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/drap/DRAP-V-Report1.pdf) and the Wait Very Low Frequency (VLF)-driven model (Wait & Spies, 1964). Plain Language SummaryWe present a physics-based model for high-frequency (HF) signal absorption resulting from the effects of X-ray solar flares on the low-altitude ionosphere. Our model calculates the extent of ionization enhancement in the D region due to an X-ray flare and predicts the altitude-dependent change of electron density and consequent increase in HF signal absorption. We demonstrate that results from our model are consistent with ionosonde data collected during three solar flare events. This model provides a novel approach to analyzing the impact of X-ray solar flares on HF propagation and is complementary to the widely used empirical D Region Absorption Prediction and Wait models. Key Points:• We developed a physics-based model of HF absorption due to X-ray solar flare impact on the low-altitude ionosphere • Model results are consistent with ionosonde data collected during flare events on a 3-day experimental campaign • The model is a novel approach to X-ray flare impact on HF propagation, complementing existing empirical modelsCorrespondence to:

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ν_{e n} = false(n_{N_{2}} ν_{N_{2}} + n_{O_{2}} ν_{O_{2}} false) false/ false(n_{N_{2}} + n_{O_{2}} false)

(Spencer et al, ) with number densities

n_{N_{2}}

and

n_{O_{2}}

from NRLMSIS‐00, and collision frequencies

ν_{N_{2}}

and

ν_{O_{2}}

from Schunk and Nagy ().…”

Section: The Physics Of X‐ray Flare Impact On the Lower Ionospherementioning

confidence: 99%

A Parameterized Model of X‐Ray Solar Flare Effects on the Lower Ionosphere and HF Propagation

2019

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“…studies on laser filamentation [20]), non-intrusive and does not exhibit sheath effects, has the potential for high sensitivity and accuracy (governed by the microwave frequency and phase error), has the potential for high temporal resolutions on the order of the transient oscillator response and microwave circuitry, and does not require an accurate characterization of the plasma frequency for plasma channels with large aspect ratios when √ ξω p is sufficiently low. These advantages are in reference to alternative direct, compound, and indirect measurement techniques such as hairpin resonators [21], small plasma reflection interrogation by GHz transmitter [22], microwave interferometry [23], plasma impedance probes [24], approximating experimental E/p curves [18], using pre-existing cross sections and laser Rayleigh derived number densities [12], and so on. Additionally, temporally-resolved measurements of ν m through the CMS phase can then enable an accurate derivation of N e from the scattered signal amplitude, determination of ν m as a function of T e , and/or reveal information on dependent quantities (electron temperatures, densities, present species, etc)thus yielding a beneficial tool in the study of plasma processes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Electron momentum-transfer collision frequency measurements in small plasma objects via coherent microwave scattering

Patel¹,

Wang²,

Braun³

et al. 2022

Plasma Sources Sci. Technol.

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We present the possibility of using coherent microwave scattering (CMS) for temporally resolved measurements of the electron momentum-transfer collision frequency in small plasma objects. Specifically, the electron collision frequency is inferred via phase information from microwave scattering off microplasmas operating in the mixed collisional-Thomson scattering regime. We further suggest the combination of phase and amplitude measurements to derive total electron count and temperature in small plasmas. An experimental validation of this concept is performed by 10.5 GHz CMS off laser-induced, variable-pressure oxygen and air plasmas.

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“…The collision frequencies are dependent on the neutral composition and electron temperatures at these altitudes. We used the expressions from Spencer et al [] for either a nitrogen (N 2 )‐ or oxygen (O 2 )‐dominated neutral species from the Naval Research Laboratory Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter‐Extended (NRL‐MSISE) model to calculate the electron neutral collision frequencies. The electron‐oxygen and electron‐nitrogen collision frequencies with changing density and electron temperature are given by [ Schunk and Nagy , ]

ν_{{normalN}_{2}} = 2.33 \times 1 0^{- 11} n_{{normalN}_{2}} (1 - 1.21 \times 1 0^{- 4} T_{e}) T_{e} and

…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ward [] developed a full‐wave plasma fluid finite difference time domain electromagnetic code called PFFDTD that simulates the behavior of a short dipole antenna in a magnetized plasma. Spencer et al [] used the PFFDTD simulation to obtain not only the absolute electron density but also the electron neutral collision frequencies at selected altitudes for the Sudden Atom Layer sounding rocket mission. An analysis of the variation of the plasma sheath with altitude from the S‐520‐23 sounding rocket experiment was used as a diagnostic tool to determine electron temperature in Suzuki et al [].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ionosphere plasma electron parameters from radio frequency sweeping impedance probe measurements

Spencer

Patra

2015

Radio Science

Self Cite

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In this work we will describe the technique of using an RF sweeping impedance probe (SIP) to measure the AC impedance of an electrically short monopole immersed in a plasma. We analyze the SIP measurements which are taken from the payload of the Storms sounding rocket, launched from Wallops Island, Virginia, in 2007. The scientific objective of the Storms mission was to concentrate on whether density irregularities observed in midlatitude spread F could arise from ionospheric coupling to terrestrial weather. As such, independent measurements of the electron density profile are crucial. Since the inherent nature of the SIP technique makes it relatively insensitive to errors introduced through spacecraft charging, probe contamination, and other DC effects, it is an ideal instrument to employ under disturbed plasma conditions. The instrument measures both the magnitude and phase of the AC impedance from 100 kHz to 20 MHz in 128 frequency steps, performing 45,776 sweeps over the entire flight. From these measurements we infer both the absolute electron density n e and the electron neutral collision frequencies en throughout the flight trajectory. The SIP data can be approximately analyzed using a fluid formulation and thin sheath approximation particularly at altitudes below 200 km, which allows us to match the measurements to quasi-static analytical formulas. At about 265 km on the upleg, the magnitude data transitioned to a highly damped response with increasing altitude. The phase data, on the other hand, continued to indicate increased plasma density and reduced collisionality as expected. For a large portion of the flight, the payload of the Storms mission exhibited an uncontrolled coning motion, making the local magnetic field orientation with respect to the dipole difficult to decipher. Despite these difficulties, we were able to obtain robust estimates of the electron density profile, using the phase information from each sweep. In addition, the electron neutral collision frequency obtained from matching to phase data alone was on the correct order of magnitude with respect to Naval Research Laboratory Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter-Extended model values in the ionosphere between 100 km and 150 km.

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Electron density and electron neutral collision frequency in the ionosphere using plasma impedance probe measurements

Cited by 18 publications

References 20 publications

A Parameterized Model of X‐Ray Solar Flare Effects on the Lower Ionosphere and HF Propagation

A Parameterized Model of X‐Ray Solar Flare Effects on the Lower Ionosphere and HF Propagation

Electron momentum-transfer collision frequency measurements in small plasma objects via coherent microwave scattering

Ionosphere plasma electron parameters from radio frequency sweeping impedance probe measurements

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