Accession Number:

ADA172906

Title:

Parallel Current Effects on Auroral E-Region Plasma Instabilities.

Descriptive Note:

Interim rept.,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL RESEARCH LAB WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Chaturvedi,P. K.
• Huba,J. D.
• Ossakow,S. L.
• Satyanarayana,P.

Report Date:

1986-09-19

Pagination or Media Count:

34.0

Abstract:

Consider the effect of a field aligned current on the development of plasma instabilities in the auroral electrojet. It is found that the inclusion of the parallel current modifies the threshold criteria for the onset of the Farley Buneman instability, and may cause excitation of oblique ion sound waves. Apply these results to the auroral E region and show that they explain some observations of auroral irregularities, for example, the presence of type I irregularities for sub-threshold conditions when the electron Hall drift is less than the ion-sound speed, and the observation of irregularities which are not highly field aligned.

Descriptors:

• *AURORAE
• *ELECTROJETS
• PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
• BACKSCATTERING
• RADAR REFLECTIONS
• E REGION
• IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE