Nonequilibrium electron density fluctuations and wave scattering in the mesosphere

A theory of nonequilibrium electron density fluctuations and electromagnetic wave scattering is considered for a multicomponent dusty plasma, containing charged aerosol particles. In application to mesospheric conditions, the polydispersed character of aerosol particles is taken into consideration,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of atmospheric and terrestrial physics 1995, Vol.57 (10), p.1153-1164
Main Authors: Trakhtengerts, V.Yu, Demekhov, A.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A theory of nonequilibrium electron density fluctuations and electromagnetic wave scattering is considered for a multicomponent dusty plasma, containing charged aerosol particles. In application to mesospheric conditions, the polydispersed character of aerosol particles is taken into consideration, as well as their motion under the action of gravity. These factors lead to the appearance of an effective thermal dispersion and relative motion of light and heavy charged particles; thus they determine the amplitude and spectral characteristics of scattered electromagnetic waves and may cause dusty plasma instabilities. The relative motion of ions and charged aerosol particles suppresses ion diffusivity and provides a sharp increase of scattering cross-section in the range of low radar frequencies. In the framework of the theory developed, a preliminary discussion of the role of these factors in the formation of polar mesospheric summer echoes (PMSE) is presented.
ISSN:0021-9169
DOI:10.1016/0021-9169(94)00132-8