Excitation of forced ion acoustic waves, large plasma sheets, and magnetic field fluctuations over Gakona, Alaska

Two research subjects: (1) excitation of "forced ion acoustic waves", and (2) "simultaneous excitation of plasma density fluctuations and geomagnetic field fluctuations" are reported in my M.S. thesis. The data was acquired in our experiments conducted at Gakona, Alaska from summer 2007 to winter 2008, using DoD/NSF-funded HAARP facilities and our own optical (ASIS) and radio instruments (VLF receiving system of IRIS) aided by GPS satellites as well as AMISR radar at Poker Flat, Alaska. We suggest that "Forced ion acoustic waves" detected by MUIR radar on Oct. 29 during 6:20-6:30 UT arise from keV electron precipitation associated with the occurrence of green aurora. Our work shows, for the first time, that MUIR radar is suitable for probing naturally occurring space plasma processes and not limited to HF heater-induced effects. This would extend the usage of MUIR for the investigation of space weather together with AMISR radar at Poker Flat, to advance our knowledge in space plasma turbulence. The research on "simultaneous excitation of plasma density fluctuations and geomagnetic field fluctuations" is an extension of my B.S. thesis research on thermal filamentation instability, which started in our summer Gakona experiments in 2005. Large plasma sheets (also known as sheet-like filaments) can be excited by HF O-mode and X-mode heater waves via thermal filamentation instability.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Nuclear Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Cohen, Joel (Joel A.)

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Min-Chang Lee.

• Nuclear Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53280

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/53280