Ionospheric Turbulence, Scintillations and Space Weather Forecast

该项目的目的是研究全球定位系统（GPS）接收机观测到的相位和振幅闪烁的时空演变，并与加拿大扩展北极高纬度电离层网络（ECHAIN）设施的加拿大先进数字电离层探空仪（CADI）接收机的观测结果相补充。GPS闪烁观测的定量分析将与电磁波通过模式湍流电离层前向传播的数值模拟进行比较。计算将用于深入了解发生在极光和极地电离层区域内并引起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一些答案：***对GPS地面接收器二维阵列观测到的闪烁进行彻底分析，能否揭示一些控制极光和极地电离层E和F区域等离子体不规则演变的物理机制？***应该开发什么样的分析工具，以便尝试和协调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？EMW的非线性传播又是怎样的呢？***我们能否制定定量措施，如临近预报和预报指数，将电离层活动与地面闪烁观测联系起来？我们应该用什么样的基准来评估这些指数的可靠性呢？***地面闪烁测量是否带有磁层-电离层耦合（MIC）的特殊特征，以及太阳风-磁层耦合（SWM）的一般特征？***提出的研究将有几个影响：最重要的一个是研究极帽和极光区域的电离层过程，这为MIC打开了一个直接的研究窗口，这反过来将揭示一些影响EMW在这些高度感兴趣的区域传播和传输的物理机制。建立可靠的闪烁数据库，发展分析工具和预测指数，将对任何涉及电离层介质中EMW发射和接收的预报工作产生重大影响。闪烁数据分析的结果将为电离层结构的发展和演变提供时空洞察力。任何关于EMW在极地和极光地区传播的预测见解都将对航空航天、通信和军事工业产生重大影响。在此过程中，将培养包括研究生在内的高素质人才

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.**