Recombination and transport in the nighttime<i>F</i>layer of the ionosphere

Quinn, Thomas P.; Nisbet, John S.

doi:10.1029/jz070i001p00113

Cited by 20 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Ratcli•e et al [1956] averaged over seasons and obtained an exponentially decreasing electron loss rate with a value of 1 x 10 -4 see -• at 300 km. The loss rate at night has recently been re-examined by Nisbet and Quinn [1963] and Quinn and Nisbet [1965] by considering the loss of electrons within a tube of force. They report• finding a loss rate that varies both with temperature and with season between the limits of 0.2 and 2 x 10 -4 see -• at 300 km.…”

Section: Led •He Way For Modern Methods Of Obtaining Electron Densitymentioning

confidence: 96%

Advances in ionospheric physics in the rocket and satellite era

Schmerling¹

1966

Reviews of Geophysics

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With the systematic use of rockets and satellites, a great deal of progress has been made in increasing our knowledge and understanding of the ionosphere and the interaction of radio waves with a magnetoplasma. This paper attempts to summarize the major results obtained during the last six years. During this period, helium was found to be an important atmospheric constituent; topside sounders produced the first survey of the electron distribution above the peak of the F region; several types of plasma resonance were discovered; electron temperatures were observed to be systematically in excess of neutral temperatures, even at night; and new types of whistlers were observed. Steady progress was made in establishing the sources of ionization, from the cosmic rays effective below 70 km to the particular regions in the solar X‐ray and UV emissions responsible for ionization at greater altitudes. Less progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of electron loss, since uncertainties still exist about reaction rates, the role of minor constituents, and the contributions of electrodynamic transport. As a result of the observations made during the past six years, a new picture of the ionosphere is emerging which is very different from the old one of layers produced in an isothermal atmosphere by monochromatic radiation. Although the new picture is much more complicated, it is firmly based on observation, and it holds out a real hope that the solution of some outstanding problems is now within reach.

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Section: Led •He Way For Modern Methods Of Obtaining Electron Densitymentioning

confidence: 96%

Advances in ionospheric physics in the rocket and satellite era

Schmerling¹

1966

Reviews of Geophysics

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“…The same difficulty about F-region parameters appears in the analytic approach to the continuity equation, described in section 2.1 [Quinn and Nisbet, 1965;Shimazaki, 1966 (nighttime conditions); Chun-Ming Huang, 1966 (daytime conditions)]. In these studies, it is the diffusion coefficient that usually turns out to be an order of magnitude smaller than is calculated from theory.…”

Section: Beoeore F-region Phenomen• •Re Discussed In •Ny Detail I• Imentioning

confidence: 98%

On explaining the behavior of the ionospheric F region

Rishbeth¹

1968

Reviews of Geophysics

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This paper reviews the current situation in ionospheric physics regarding the large-scale behavior of the F region. Following the introduction, in which the plan of the paper is detailed, part 2 summarizes a basic physical theory of the F region and then lists the additional physical processes that are thought to influence F-region behavior. The over-all balance of ionization in the F region is also considered in relation to the flux of ionizing solar radiation. With currently available data, it is barely possible to account for the gross quantity of ionization present. In part 3, several phenomena of the F region are reviewed and possible explanations discussed. The phenomena include seasonal and annual variations of the F2 layer, the daily variations of peak electron density (N,•F2) and the height of the peak (h,,•F2), the nighttime F layer, and the equatorial F2 layer. Part 4 deals with further topics of interest, though in less detail. These include the F2 layer during storms and at high latitudes, conjugate point effects, and the existence of negative ions in the F region. In the conclusion, the preceding discussion is recapitulated by listing the observed effects that are suggested to result from each physical process, and brief comments are made on possible future progress. 1. INTRODUCTION The F region has been defined as the par[ of the ionosphere above 150-km altitude. Although physical considerations do not support the idea of a precise lower boundary, nearly all of this paper is concerned with levels above 150 km. The upper boundary may be •aken as •he level where ligh• ions (helium and hydrogen) become more numerous [han [he ions of heavier gases, abou[ 600-1000 km. The F region is of considerable importance for radio communications since it generally contains greater concentrations of free elec[rons than the other ionospheric regions. Although the F region has been studied for more than one-third of a century, •he de•ails of i•s behavior are s•ill no• well understood. This paper is intended to ½omplemen[ a more basic review IRishbeth, 1967a]. I[ surveys some of the interesting phenomena and examines the plausibility of proposed physical explanations in the light of present knowledge. For this purpose, no very detailed description of F-region morphology is needed. Accurate numericM values of F-region p•mmeters are no• de•l• with here, since •hey h•ve been extensively discussed in the recent review by Yonezawa [1966]. The present discussion does, however, rely heavily on various aspects of contemporary ionospheric theory; therefore these are reviewed early in the paper. The mos• importan• physical parameter of the F region is the electron density, or electron concentration N. By various experimental means, a vast amoun[ of information has been gathered on the variation of N with local time, aliiJude, and location. A grea[ deal of this informalion comprises measurements of 33 34 H. RISHBETH •he critical frequencies of •he F1 and F2 components of •he F layer, obtained by vertical incidence sounding at nu...

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“…(iii) Diffusion coefficient. The ion diffusion coefficient is directly proportional to T •/2 and inversely proportional to the number density of atomic oxygen [Quinn and Nisbet, 1965].…”

Section: Onementioning

confidence: 99%

Ionospheric electron content at temperate latitudes during the declining phase of the sunspot cycle

Yeh¹,

Flaherty²

1966

J. Geophys. Res.

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The values of electron content obtained by observations of Faraday effect for the period July 1961 to October 1964 are presented. These values, when combined with values obtained by other workers at a time when the sun was more active, enable us to study the diurnal, seasonal, and sunspot dependence of the electron content and the slab thickness. These experimentally measured quantities are then related to the physical quantities such as the diffusion coefficient and the electron and ion temperatures by using a diffusion transport model. The seasonal dependence of the electron content and the slab thickness are not in agreement. Possible causes of seasonal anomaly are examined in terms of a diffusion transport layer. The most favored mechanism seems to be the change of composition of the minor constituent O2 or N2. The slab thickness is found to increase with increasing magnetic activities.

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Recombination and transport in the nighttimeFlayer of the ionosphere

Cited by 20 publications

References 13 publications

Advances in ionospheric physics in the rocket and satellite era

Advances in ionospheric physics in the rocket and satellite era

On explaining the behavior of the ionospheric F region

Ionospheric electron content at temperate latitudes during the declining phase of the sunspot cycle

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