Investigation of Ionospheric Turbulence and Whistler Wave Interactions with Space Plasmas

Abstract : We report on AFOSR-sponsored research titled Investigation of Ionospheric Turbulence and Whistler Wave Interactions with Space Plasmas(FA9550-09-1-0391 for the period of June 1, 2009 August 31, 2012). It includes two parts: (1) naturally occurring and radio wave-induced large-and medium-scale ionospheric turbulence, and (2) whistler wave-generated short-scale ionospheric turbulence. Two types of large- and medium-scale ionospheric turbulence are discussed separately, viz., (a) anomalous heat source-induced acoustic gravity waves (AGW), and (b)HF radio wave-excited large ionospheric ducts. Our whistler wave injection experiments have been conducted at Arecibo, Puerto Rico, and Gakona, Alaska, using Naval 40.75 kHz transmitter (code-named NAU) and HAARP heater to generate VLF whistler waves, respectively. These experiments are aimed at the controlled study of whistler wave interactions with ionospheric plasma and inner (outer) radiation belts atL = 1.35 (4.6).