Spectral properties of electrostatic drift wave turbulence in the laboratory and the ionosphere

Pécseli, H. L.

doi:10.5194/angeo-33-875-2015

Cited by 20 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 157 publications

(262 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A possible mechanisms at the base of this could be the generation of large scale vortical structures due to shear flows associated with other current systems. An alternative explanation could be the occurrence of drift-wave turbulence that in the case of direct cascade, assuming the Taylor's hypothesis for a high speed moving detector, could display spectral slopes β ∼ 3 [65]. However, this is just a speculative point that needs to be better investigated in future works.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Ionospheric Turbulence and the Equatorial Plasma Density Irregularities: Scaling Features and RODI

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In the framework of space weather, the understanding of the physical mechanisms responsible for the generation of ionospheric irregularities is particularly relevant for their effects on global positioning and communication systems. Ionospheric equatorial plasma bubbles are one of the possible irregularities. In this work, using data from the ESA Swarm mission, we investigate the scaling features of electron density fluctuations characterizing equatorial plasma bubbles. Results strongly support a turbulence character of these structures and suggest the existence of a clear link between the observed scaling properties and the value of the Rate Of change of electron Density Index (RODI). This link is discussed, and RODI is proposed as a reliable proxy for the identification of plasma bubbles.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Ionospheric Turbulence and the Equatorial Plasma Density Irregularities: Scaling Features and RODI

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A common approach in analyzing results from experiments on space and ionospheric plasma irregularities are power spectra [e.g., Dyson et al, 1974;Kelley et al, 1980;Basu et al, 1988Basu et al, , 1990Pécseli, 2015]. By analogy with fluid turbulence, ionospheric plasma turbulence and irregularities can be described by power laws [Tsunoda, 1988], and some information regarding their generation mechanism may be inferred from the slopes of the power spectra [Kintner and Seyler, 1985;Spicher et al, 2014].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma turbulence and coherent structures in the polar cap observed by the ICI‐2 sounding rocket

et al. 2015

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The electron density data from the ICI‐2 sounding rocket experiment in the high‐latitude F region ionosphere are analyzed using the higher‐order spectra and higher‐order statistics. Two regions of enhanced fluctuations are chosen for detailed analysis: the trailing edge of a polar cap patch and an electron density enhancement associated with particle precipitation. While these two regions exhibit similar power spectra, our analysis reveals that their internal structures are significantly different. The structures on the edge of the polar cap patch are likely due to nonlinear wave interactions since this region is characterized by intermittency and significant coherent mode coupling. The plasma enhancement subjected to precipitation, however, exhibits stronger random characteristics with uncorrelated phases of density fluctuations. These results suggest that particle precipitation plays a fundamental role in ionospheric plasma structuring creating turbulent‐like structures. We discuss the physical mechanisms that cause plasma structuring as well as the possible processes for the low‐frequency part of the spectrum in terms of plasma instabilities.

show abstract

“…It can strongly affect the plasma density and, in particular, the electron density generating strong irregularities that may have a great impact on satellite navigation, positioning and communication systems. Several works (see, e.g., Kintner & Seyler, 1985; Pécseli, 2015) have stressed the role that fluid‐like turbulence generated by E × B gradient drift, current convective, shear flow and/or Kelvin‐Helmholtz instabilities can play in generating plasma irregularities. Nevertheless, it is necessary to take into consideration that also the intermittency of passive scalar quantities in fluid turbulence can be very relevant and generally stronger than that observed in the velocity field (see, e.g., Kraichnan, 1994; Ruiz‐Chavarria et al, 1996; Warhaft, 2000).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intermittency and Passive Scalar Nature of Electron Density Fluctuations in the High‐Latitude Ionosphere at Swarm Altitude

Consolini

Michelis

Alberti

et al. 2020

Geophysical Research Letters

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Some physical processes due to Sun-Earth interaction can influence the configuration and the dynamics of the high-latitude ionospheric plasma, particularly during geomagnetically disturbed periods. A possible consequence of this interaction is the occurrence of turbulent fluctuations that can be observed both in magnetic and electric fields and plasma density. Here, we focus on the intermittent nature of high-latitude ionospheric electron density fluctuations during geomagnetically disturbed periods as observed by one of the satellites of the ESA-Swarm constellation. The most obvious finding emerging from this study is the strong intermittent character of electron density fluctuations and the existence of an agreement between the anomalous scaling features of electron density fluctuations and those expected from a passive scalar quantity in fluid turbulence. This latter result supports the view of a passive scalar behavior of electron density in the high-latitude ionosphere that can have significant implications in the field of Space Weather studies. Plain Language Summary Turbulence phenomena represent a key element for understanding the ionospheric dynamics and have a great impact on the features of both magnetic and electric fields and plasma density. It has been suggested that turbulence can be one of the mechanisms responsible for the generation of ionospheric irregularities, which may strongly affect the satellite navigation, positioning, and communication systems. In such a framework the characterization of turbulent fluctuations of ionospheric plasma parameters paves the way for a better modeling of space weather related phenomena. The ESA-Swarm mission provides a unique opportunity to investigate the relevance of turbulence phenomena in the topside ionosphere. Using data recorded on board Swarm A satellite at high latitudes, the intermittent and passive scalar features of electron density fluctuations are investigated. The obtained results support the idea that plasma density irregularities exhibit a complex dynamic behavior similar to that of a turbulent field. Turbulence is therefore confirmed as a fundamental element to be taken into account in order to fully understand the occurrence of large local electron density gradients.

show abstract

Spectral properties of electrostatic drift wave turbulence in the laboratory and the ionosphere

Cited by 20 publications

References 157 publications

Ionospheric Turbulence and the Equatorial Plasma Density Irregularities: Scaling Features and RODI

Ionospheric Turbulence and the Equatorial Plasma Density Irregularities: Scaling Features and RODI

Plasma turbulence and coherent structures in the polar cap observed by the ICI‐2 sounding rocket

Intermittency and Passive Scalar Nature of Electron Density Fluctuations in the High‐Latitude Ionosphere at Swarm Altitude

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About