Investigation of ionospheric stimulated Brillouin scatter generated at pump frequencies near electron gyroharmonics

• Published in: Radio science 2013-11, Vol.48 (6), p.685-697
• Main Authors: Mahmoudian, A., Scales, W. A., Bernhardt, P. A., Fu, H., Briczinski, S. J., McCarrick, M. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Altitude; excitation threshold; FAIs; Ionosphere; ionospheric modification; MSBS; SEE
• ISSN: 0048-6604; 1944-799X
• DOI: 10.1002/2013RS005189

Stimulated Electromagnetic Emissions (SEEs), secondary electromagnetic waves excited by high power electromagnetic waves transmitted into the ionosphere, produced by the Magnetized Stimulated Brillouin Scatter (MSBS) process are investigated. Data from four recent research campaigns at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility is presented in this work. These experiments have provided additional quantitative interpretation of the SEE spectrum produced by MSBS to yield diagnostic measurements of the electron temperature and ion composition in the heated ionosphere. SEE spectral emission lines corresponding to ion acoustic (IA) and electrostatic ion cyclotron (EIC) mode excitation were observed with a shift in frequency up to a few tens of Hz from the pump frequency for heating near the third harmonic of the electron gyrofrequency 3fce. The threshold of each emission line has been measured by changing the pump wave power. The excitation threshold of IA and EIC emission lines originating at the reflection and upper hybrid altitudes is measured for various beam angles relative to the magnetic field. Variation of strength of MSBS emission lines with pump frequency relative to 3fce and 4fce is also studied. A full wave solution has been used to estimate the amplitude of the electric field at the interaction altitude. The estimated instability threshold using the theoretical model is compared with the threshold of MSBS lines in the experiment and possible diagnostic information for the background ionospheric plasma is discussed. Simultaneous formation of artificial field‐aligned irregularities (FAIs) and suppression of the MSBS process is investigated. This technique can be used to estimate the growth time of artificial FAIs which may result in determination of plasma waves and physical process involved in the formation of FAIs. Key Points excitation threshold of MSBS lines originated at UH and reflection altitudes Simultaneous observation of formation of FAIs and suppression of MSBS process variation of MSBS emission lines with pump frequency and heater beam angle