Plasma Instabilities and Turbulent Heating in Lower Ionosphere: Theory and Simulations

Trustees Of Boston University, Boston

Investigators

Abstract

Small-scale ionospheric structures, particularly E-region irregularities, are modeled using linear and non-linear numerical techniques. Thermal feedback from ions and electrons is studied using standard dispersion relations in a plasma characterized by ambient temperature and density gradients. Inelastic collisional electron cooling modeling is compared with more complex cooling functions. A three-dimensional numerical simulator is used to study to electron heating events in turbulence, and to model small-scale E-region turbulence in general.