Enhanced plasma wave spectral asymmetries

A strong high-frequency radio wave incident on the ionosphere is capable of exciting enhanced electron plasma waves via a parametric wave-plasma coupling interaction. Incoherent backscatter radar is used to obtain detailed power spectra of these enhanced plasma waves. Power and frequency asymmetries are detected between spectra of enhanced plasma waves propagating parallel and antiparallel to the radar line-of-sight at the altitude of observation. The power spectra are corrected for the antenna gain frequency dependence. The power asymmetry is attributed to linear convective amplification of the plasma waves, so that waves observed propagating parallel and antiparallel to the radar line-of-sight have originated at different altitudes, above and below the observation height. The frequency asymmetry is interpreted as a Doppler shift of the power spectra resulting from a downward static drift of the thermal electrons. This drift is necessary to maintain charge neutrality within the wave-plasma interaction region, replacing upward-escaping energetic electrons which have been bootstrap accelerated by the enhanced plasma waves.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Sciences

Grantor

Rice University

Year dc:date.issued

1976

Author dc:creator

• Duncan, Lewis M.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Gordon, William E.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1911/104064

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.rice.edu:1911/104064