A VLF Beacon Transmitter at South Pole

南北极VLF信标发射机Umran S. Inan，斯坦福大学该提案寻求资金以恢复南极站VLF信标发射机的运行，该发射机用于量化极帽和亚极光带之间较低电离层状态的时空变化，以确定电离层对高能量辐射带电子和太阳质子降水的响应，并监测这些粒子进入大气的损失。虽然在卫星上广泛观察到相对论性粒子群的波动，但对进入电离层的相关降水的程度知之甚少。在降水时，这些高能粒子穿透到低至30-40公里的高度，产生电离、x射线，并可能影响涉及臭氧产生的化学反应。建议在南极各沿海站（帕尔默站、哈雷站等）继续记录VLF信标信号。拟议计划的更广泛影响包括南极VLF信标与正在进行的低海拔和高海拔捕获和沉淀高能电子的卫星测量的协同使用，以及与其他南极高层大气研究工作的协同使用，例如自动地球物理观测计划和载人基地的常规高层大气观测。拟议的项目还通过多点记录南极VLF信标信号来促进国际合作，同时为研究生或博士生的论文提供基础。

ANT-0636928 A VLF Beacon Transmitter at South PolePI: Umran S. Inan, Stanford UniversityThis proposal seeks funding to resume operation of the VLF Beacon Transmitter at the South Pole Station used to quantify temporal and spatial variations in the state of the lower ionosphere between the polar cap and subauroral zone, to determine the ionosphere's response to precipitation of highly energetic radiation belt electrons and solar protons, and to monitor the loss of these particles into the atmosphere. Although fluctuations in the relativistic particle population are extensively observed on satellites, little is known about the extent of associated precipitation into the ionosphere. Upon precipitation, these highly energetic particles penetrate to altitudes as low as 30-40 km, producing ionization, X-rays, and possibly affecting chemical reactions involving ozone production. It is proposed to continue recording the VLF beacon's signal at various Antarctic coastal stations (Palmer, Halley, etc). The broader impact of the proposed program includes the synergistic use of the South Pole VLF beacon with ongoing satellite-based measurements of trapped and precipitating high-energy electrons both at low and high altitudes and with other Antarctic Upper Atmospheric research efforts, such as the Automatic Geophysical Observatory programs and routine upper atmospheric observations at manned bases. The proposed project also promotes international collaboration via multi-points recording of the South Pole VLF beacon signal while providing the basis of a graduate or doctoral student thesis.