Theoretical Studies of Dynamical Processes in the Ionosphere

该项目继续研究等离子体和中性气体输运过程对电离层的理论影响。 这项研究历时三年，涉及模型/数据比较、电离层动力学和电动力学理论研究、极风研究和高分辨率热层研究。 PI将把电离层视为一个与磁层和热层相互作用的综合系统。 将研究几乎所有主要的电离层区域：E区、F区和赤道、中纬度和高纬度的顶侧电离层。 主要使用当前的模型，PI将使用来自几个电离层探测仪、非相干散射雷达和卫星的数据。 具体而言，研究包括：（1）支持CEDAR/PRIMO倡议的模拟/数据比较，以解释风暴增强密度，模拟南半球观测到的等离子体密度悬崖，并验证顶侧F区的预测气候学;（2）电离层动力学模拟研究，强调全球电离层对重力波的响应，与耦合全球电离层和MHD磁层模型有关的问题，以及当离子分布为非麦克斯韦分布时用中性网络解释非相干散射雷达谱;（3）研究极帽弧的电离层电动力学，重点研究与弧的形成和衰减有关的横流和时间延迟;（4）研究极风、离心加速度、极雨电子、磁层沉淀离子和电离层分子离子对气流时间行为的影响;（5）研究高分辨率热层对通量传输事件的响应，以及由此产生的尖点对流喷流和等离子体斑的形成。

This project continues studying the theoretical effects that plasma and neutral gas transport processes have on the ionosphere. Spanning three years, this research involves model/data comparisons, theoretical studies of ionospheric dynamics and electrodynamics, polar wind studies, and high-resolution thermosphere studies. The PI will consider the ionosphere as an integrated system, interacting with both the magnetosphere and thermosphere. Almost all of the major ionospheric regions will be studied: E-region, F-region, and topside ionosphere at equatorial, middle and high latitudes. Using mainly current models, the PI will use data from several ionosondes, incoherent scatter radars and satellites. Specifically, the research involves: (1) modeling/data comparisons in support of the CEDAR/PRIMO initiative to explain storm enhanced densities, model the plasma density cliff observed in the southern hemisphere, and validate the predicted climatology for the topside F-region; (2) modeling ionospheric dynamics studies, emphasizing global ionospheric response to gravity waves, problems associated with coupling global ionospheric and MHD magnetospheric models, and interpretation of incoherent scatter radar spectra with neutral networks when ion distributions are non-Maxwellian; (3) studying ionospheric electrodynamics of polar cap arcs, emphasizing on the cross-flow and time delay associated with the formation and decay of arcs; and (4) studying polar wind the effects of centrifugal acceleration, polar rain electrons, precipitating magnetospheric ions, and ionospheric molecular ions on temporal behavior of the flow; and (5) studying the high-resolution thermospheric response to flux-transfer events, with consequent cusp convection jets and plasma patch formation.