3D imaging of polar cap patches with radio and optical measurements

在加拿大雷索特湾，我们结合高灵敏度的全天气辉成像仪和相控阵非相干散射雷达系统，对极帽区电离层现象（极帽斑和极帽极光弧）进行了三维观测。通过对活动观测结果的分析，我们得到了极地电离层现象的各种有趣的动态变化结果。突出的成果有：(1)全球尺度的极帽斑块成像，显示了斑块的空间范围；(2)极帽斑块附近等离子体不规则性的空间分布；(3)极帽极光背后电动力结构的三维可视化。这些结果对于理解和预测极冠电离层现象对跨电离层卫星通信环境的可能影响具有特别重要的意义。

We have conducted three dimensional observations of ionospheric phenomena in the polar cap region (polar cap patches and polar cap auroral arcs) by combining a highly-sensitive all-sky airglow imager and phased-array incoherent scatter radar system at Resolute Bay, Canada. Through the analysis of the campaign measurements, we have obtained various interesting results on the dynamical variations of the polar cap ionospheric phenomena. Outstanding results are (1) global-scale imaging of polar cap patches showing the spatial extent of patches, (2) spatial distribution of plasma irregularities in the vicinity of polar cap patches, and (3) three dimensional visualization of the electrodynamic structure behind polar cap aurora. These results are of particular importance for understanding and predicting the possible impact of the polar cap ionospheric phenomena on the trans-ionospheric satellite communication environment.