Theoretical and Lidar Studies of the Density Response of the Mesospheric Sodium Layer to Gravity Wave Perturbations

Laser radar observations of the mesospheric sodium layer often reveal wavelike density fluctuations moving through the layer. It is often assumed that these features are a layer density response to gravity waves. The density response of atmospheric layers to gravity waves is developed in two forms; an exact solution and a perturbation series solution. The degree of nonlinearity in the layer density response is clearly described by the series solution whereas the exact solution gives insight into the nature of the response. It is shown that density perturbations in an atmospheric layer can be substantially greater than the atmospheric density perturbations associated with the propagation of a gravity wave. Because of the density gradients present in atmospheric layers, interesting effects are observed such as a phase reversal in the linear layer response which occurs near the layer peak. Once the layer response is understood, the sodium layer can be used as a tracer of atmospheric wave motions.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Electrical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Shelton, John Davis

• Engineering, Electronics and Electrical

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8209629

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/69228