Ionospheric turbulence induced in the lower part of the E region by the turbulence of the neutral atmosphere

Abstract

Strong large-scale oscillations of the electric field and plasma density observed on rockets in the lower part of the ionospheric E layer and the scattering of low-frequency radar waves (f ≤ 10 MHz) in the same region of ionosphere are not well explained by the existing theories. We explore here a new mechanism of the excitation of plasma turbulence in the lower part of the E region, connected with the turbulent motion of neutral atmosphere. The problem is solved in a fluid approximation. The spectrum of induced fluctuations of electron and ion densities and electric field is determined and analyzed. The cross section for scattering of radio waves from the lower ionosphere is determined. Copyright 1997 by the American Geophysical Union.