Ionospheric Turbulence, Scintillations and Space Weather Forecast

该项目的目的是调查全球定位系统接收器观测到的相位和振幅振幅振荡的时空演变情况，并以加拿大高北极电离层网络扩大设施的加拿大高级数字电离层探测仪接收器的观测结果作为对这项研究的补充。将把对全球定位系统闪烁观测的定量分析与电磁波通过模型湍流电离层向前传播的数值模拟进行比较。计算结果将用于深入了解极光和极地电离层区域内发生并导致闪烁现象的潜在机制。数据分析和与模拟的比较将有助于揭示以下基本问题的答案： 对GPS地面接收器的二维阵列观测到的微扰现象进行透彻的分析能否揭示极光和极地电离层E和F区域等离子体不规则性演变的某些物理机制？ 应当开发何种分析工具，以便设法调和关于电离层不规则性和地面闪烁测量的现有知识？ 我们能从试图模拟电磁波（EMW）通过湍流电离层的线性传播的计算中获得任何见解吗？电磁波的非线性传播特性如何？ 我们能否制定将电离层活动与地面闪烁观测联系起来的定量措施，如临近预报和预报指数？应该用什么样的基准来评估这些指数的可靠性？ 地面闪烁测量是否具有关于磁层-电离层耦合（MIC）的特征，以及太阳风-磁层耦合（SWM）的特征？ 拟议的研究将产生若干影响：最重要的影响是研究极冠和极光区的电离层过程，这为研究微波中电离层打开了一个直接的窗口，从而揭示影响电磁波在这些高度关注的区域传播和传输的某些物理机制。建立可靠的闪烁数据库，开发分析工具和预测指数，将对涉及通过电离层介质发射和接收电磁波的任何预报工作产生重大影响。闪烁数据分析的结果将提供对电离层结构的发展和演变的时空洞察力。任何关于EMW在极地和极光区传播的预测性见解都将对航空航天、通信和军事工业产生重大影响。在这个过程中，高素质的人将被培养，包括研究生。

The objective of the project is to investigate the spatial and temporal evolution of phase and amplitude scintillations observed by the Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, and complement the study with observations by the Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde (CADI) receivers of the Expanded Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (ECHAIN) facility. The quantitative analysis of the GPS scintillation observations will be compared to numerical simulations of forward propagation of electromagnetic waves through a model turbulent ionospheric layer. The computations will be used to gain insight about potential mechanisms occurring within the auroral and polar ionospheric regions and causing the scintillation phenomena. The data analysis and the comparison to simulations will help unveil some of the answers to the following fundamental questions: Can a thorough analysis of scintillations observed by a two-dimensional array of GPS ground receivers unveil some of the physical mechanisms governing the evolution of plasma irregularities in the auroral and polar ionospheric E and F regions? What kind of analysis tools should be developed in order to try and reconcile existing knowledge about ionospheric irregularities and scintillation measurements on the ground? Can we gain any insight from computations that attempt to simulate the linear propagation of electromagnetic waves (EMW) through a turbulent ionospheric layer? How about the nonlinear propagation of EMW? Can we develop quantitative measures, such as nowcast and forecast indices, that link ionospheric activity with ground based scintillation observations? And what kind of benchmark should one use to assess the reliability of these indices? Do the ground scintillation measurements carry signatures about the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling (MIC) in particular, and the solar wind-magnetosphere (SWM) coupling in general? The research proposed will have several impacts: the most important one being the study of ionospheric processes in the polar cap and auroral regions, which opens up a direct research window into MIC, which in turn will unveil some of the physical mechanisms affecting the propagation and transmission of EMW in these regions of high interest. The establishment of a reliable scintillation database, and the development of analysis tools as well as predictive indices, will have a significant impact on any forecasting exercise involving the transmission and reception of EMW through the ionospheric medium. The results of the scintillation data analysis will provide spatial and temporal insight into the development and evolution of ionospheric structures. Any predictive insight about the propagation of EMW in the polar and auroral regions will have strong impact in the aerospace, communications and military industries. In the process High Qualified Personal will be trained, including graduate students.