Enhanced Radar Backscatter from the Ionosphere

Sammanfattning: Incoherent scatter radars are powerful ground based instruments for ionospheric measurements. By analysis of the Doppler shifted backscatter spectrum, containing the signature of electrostatic plasma waves, plasma bulk properties are estimated. Occasionally, the backscattered radar power is enhanced several orders of magnitude above the thermal backscatter level. These enhancements occur during naturally disturbed ionospheric conditions and in ionospheric modi_cation experiments, where a powerful radio wave is incident on the ionospheric plasma. In both of the cases the non-linearity is thought to be turbulence of electrostatic Langmuir waves. The Langmuir turbulence theory and models account for many features of enhanced ionospheric radar backscatter reported on in the literature. During disturbed conditions, with precipitation of auroral electrons, Langmuir turbulence is thought to be driven by a low energy electron beam. Optical and radar observations of naturally enhanced radar backscatter indicate Alfvénic type of aurora during events reported on in the literature. However, contrasting conclusions have been drawn from optical observations. While some reports suggest that enhanced radar backscatter is observed at the edge of auroral structures others suggest that the enhanced backscatter region and auroral precipitation are co-located. Optical imagers with a narrow field of view resolve auroral structures with tens of meters scale size. The cross beam resolution of radars, however, is limited by the width of the radar beam, typically several kilometers wide at auroral altitudes. By using several radar receivers for observations - radar interferometry - the cross beam resolution is increased. Simultaneous observations of enhanced radar backscatter with radar interferometry and narrow field of view optical observations will increase the understanding of the physical processes involved and will make it possible to associate auroral structures with the enhanced radar backscatter. An interferometric radar receiver system has been built and a calibration technique for the system developed. In ionospheric modification experiments, the Langmuir turbulence is driven by a powerful electromagnetic wave incident on the ionosphere and electrons are significantly accelerated. The acceleration of electrons is not yet fully understood. Ionospheric modification experiments and ground based measurements, as reported on herein, contribute to the understa