Simulations and Theory of Small Scale E-region Turbulence

利用数值模拟研究了极光和赤道电急流中的等离子体不稳定性和湍流。 利用新的并行计算能力，将PIC模拟器扩展到三维空间，并首次实现了三维运动E区湍流的模拟。 在这个新的3-D模拟中揭示了波内和周围大气中的热梯度驱动或修改波的生长和波的演化的机制。 由于从模拟器中收集到的新见解，对E区不稳定性的雷达回波的解释变得更加精确，并且增强了Aeronomy和空间气象界的诊断和预测能力。 改进的数值等离子体模拟器对应用和理论等离子体物理研究的许多方面都很有用，这项研究预计将使等离子体物理学界的大截面受益。

Plasma instabilities and turbulence in the auroral and equatorial electrojet currents are investigated using numerical simulations. The particle-in-cell (PIC) simulator is expanded to 3-dimensional capability using new parallel computing capability, and the three dimensional simulations are the first such 3-D descriptions of kinetic E-region turbulence. The mechanisms by which thermal gradients within waves and within the ambient atmosphere drive or modify wave growth and wave evolution are revealed in this new 3-D simulation. By consequence of the new insights gleaned from the simulators, interpretation of radar echos from E-region instabilities becomes more precise, and the diagnostic and predictive capabilities of the Aeronomy and Space-Weather communities are enhanced. Improved numerical plasma simulators are useful to many aspects of applied and theoretical plasma physics research, and this research is expected to benefit a large cross-section of the plasmasphere community.