Growth of plasma waves of scales longer than 10 km by gradient-drift instability in the E-region of equatorial ionosphere

In this study, a linear analysis of the Gradient Drift Instability (GDI) applicable for horizontal wavelengths longer than 10 km in the E region is presented. By analytically solving the non-local differential equation for the polarization potential, analytical forms of the dispersion relation and g...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics of plasmas 2018-07, Vol.25 (7)
Main Authors: Kherani, E. A., Bharuthram, R., Maharaj, S. K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Differential equations
Drift
E region
Equatorial regions
Growth rate
Ionosphere
Linear analysis
Plasma physics
Plasma waves
Polarization
Stability
Stability analysis
Twilight glow
Wavelengths
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Summary:In this study, a linear analysis of the Gradient Drift Instability (GDI) applicable for horizontal wavelengths longer than 10 km in the E region is presented. By analytically solving the non-local differential equation for the polarization potential, analytical forms of the dispersion relation and growth rate, hosting new contributions from non-local effects, are obtained. The new growth rate and the amplitude of polarization potential are examined for a wide range of wavelengths that reveal the positive growth of GDI for wavelengths of ∼25 km. These characteristics raise the possibility of the formation of unstable structures of vertical size ∼20–30 km in the upper E region, often observed during twilight hours.
ISSN:1070-664X
1089-7674
DOI:10.1063/1.5034018