Geospace Energy Exchange in Structured Electrodynamic Environments

本研究基于一项科学计划，旨在开发一种非相干散射雷达（ISR）数据分析方法，该方法将应用于高纬度扑克平面非相干散射雷达（PFISR）和Resolute湾非相干散射雷达（RISR）雷达测量，从而实现密度、温度、速度以及相关的电动力和能量的高时空测量。这些数据产品的分辨率将比当前全球模拟（子网格）提供的分辨率更好。该奖项研究的首要目的是促进和加强对与磁层电离层热层（MIT）耦合和能量转移过程相关的小尺度结构的理解。研究人员将这些雷达测量与离子漂移和极光图像的原位卫星测量相结合，以解决两个基本的科学目标：1)电离层结构机制（如电离、化学、扩散）在不同高纬度地区（极帽、尖点、极光带）的作用；2)影响能量耗散的因素，包括等离子体密度结构、自由能量来源和数据质量。这项研究将资助一名研究生。调查将解决五个具体问题：1)影响电离、输运、扩散和化学是如何协同工作来构建高纬度电离层，从而形成电导率？2)构造机制的相对重要性在极帽、极尖、极光带和这些区域之间的边界之间如何变化？3)由M-I耦合驱动的电导率变化如何影响区域尺度上能量耗散的形式、速率和分配？4)在导出的参数域中，分辨率、配准和统计不确定性如何影响实验结果？5)自由能的来源（例如，亚暴vs稳定重联vs高后期重联vs尖峰）如何影响能量耗散？该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This research is based upon a science plan to develop an Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) data analysis approach that would be applied to high latitude Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) and Resolute bay Incoherent Scatter Radar (RISR) radar measurements resulting in high spatio-temporal measurements of densities, temperatures, and velocities and the associated electrodynamic and energy quantities. The resolution for these data products would be of a finer resolution than that available from current global simulations (sub-grid). The foremost aim of the award research is to contribute to and enhance the understanding of small-scale structures that are associated with the Magnetosphere Ionosphere Thermosphere (MIT) coupling and energy transfer processes. The researchers would combine these radar measurements with in-situ satellite measurements of ion drifts and auroral images to address two fundamental science objectives: 1) the role of ionospheric structuring mechanisms (e.g. ionization, chemistry, diffusion) in various high latitude regions (polar cap, cusp, auroral zone) and 2) the factors impacting energy dissipation including plasma density structuring, free energy sources, and data quality. A graduate student would be supported for this research.The investigation would address five specific questions: 1), How do impact ionization, transport, diffusion, and chemistry, work in concert to structure the high latitude ionosphere and, hence, conductivity? 2) How does the relative importance of structuring mechanisms vary between the polar cap, cusp, auroral zone, and the boundaries between these regions? 3) How do variations in conductivity, driven through M-I coupling, affect the form, rate, and partitioning of energy dissipation over regional scales? 4) How are experimental results impacted by resolution, registration, and statistical uncertainties in the derived parameter fields? 5) How does the source of free energy (e.g., substorm versus steady reconnection versus high-lat reconnection versus cusp) impact energy dissipation?This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.