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The theory of ionospheric focused heatingIonospheric modification by high power radio waves and by chemical releases are combined in a theoretical study of ionospheric focused heating. The release of materials which promote electron-ion recombination creates a hole in the bottomside ionosphere. The ionospheric hole focuses high power radio waves from a ground-based transmitter to give a 20 dB or greater enhancement in power density. The intense radio beam excites atomic oxygen by collisions with accelerated electrons. Airglow from the excited oxygen provides a visible trace of the focused beam. The large increase in the intensity of the radio beam stimulates new wave-plasma interactions. Numerical simulations show that the threshold for the two-plasmon decay instability is exceeded. The interaction of the pump electromagnetic wave with the backward plasmon produces a scattered electromagnetic wave at 3/2 the pump frequency. The scattered wave provides a unique signature of the two-plasmon decay process for ground-based detection.
Document ID
19880035805
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Bernhardt, P. A.
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM, United States)
Duncan, L. M.
(Los Alamos National Laboratory NM, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
December 1, 1987
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics
Volume: 49
ISSN: 0021-9169
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
88A23032
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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