Incoherent Scatter Radar Studies of the Equatorial Ionosphere at Jicamarca

该项目旨在通过开发一种基于光谱拟合和磁离子差相测量的新的观测/信号处理模式，提高Jicamarca非相干散射雷达在赤道f区观测的能力。在垂直于B的雷达波束下，利用正交偶极子对和一对南北显示偶极子阵列收集的O和x模非相干散射回波的自谱和交叉谱拟合到正激理论模型中，以推测5 min和15 km时间和高度分辨率下f区等离子体漂移、密度以及电子和离子温度。反演过程还将利用同时收集的电离层探空仪数据，此外还将能够在赤道扩散F条件下测量F区等离子体密度。该项目将为研究生在电离层传播和非相干散射理论方面提供一个极好的训练基地，并将进一步提供一个机会，在一个相对未开发的参数区（小向角）对f区非相干散射理论进行严格的测试。

The project aims to improve the capabilities of the Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar for equatorial F-region observations via the development of a new observing/signal-processing mode based on spectral fitting and magneto-ionic differential-phase measurements: With radar beams pointed perpendicular to B, self- and cross-spectra of O- and X-mode incoherent scatter returns collected with orthogonal dipole pairs and a pair of north-south displayed dipole arrays will be fitted to a forward theory model to infer F-region plasma drifts, densities, and electron and ion temperatures with 5 min and 15 km time and height resolutions. The inversion procedure will also make use of simultaneously collected ionosonde data and furthermore will be capable of F-region plasma density measurements during equatorial spread F conditions. The project will constitute an excellent training ground for graduate students on ionospheric propagation and incoherent scatter theories and will furthermore provide an opportunity for stringent tests of the F-region incoherent scatter theory in a relatively unexplored parameter regime (small aspect angles).