Accessibility navigation


Analysis of incoherent scatter spectra from non-Maxwellian plasma

Suvanto, K., Lockwood, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7397-2172, Winser, K.J., Farmer, A.D. and Bromage, B.J.I. (1989) Analysis of incoherent scatter spectra from non-Maxwellian plasma. Advances in Space Research, 9 (5). pp. 103-106. ISSN 02731177

Full text not archived in this repository.

It is advisable to refer to the publisher's version if you intend to cite from this work. See Guidance on citing.

To link to this item DOI: 10.1016/0273-1177(89)90346-3

Abstract/Summary

Incoherent scatter data from non-thermal F-region ionospheric plasma are analysed, using theoretical spectra predicted by Raman et al. It is found that values of the semi-empirical drift parameter D∗, associated with deviations of the ion velocity distribution from a Maxwellian, and the plasma temperatures can be rigorously deduced (the results being independent of the path of iteration) if the angle between the line-of-sight and the geomagnetic field is larger than about 15–20 degrees. For small aspect angles, the deduced value of the average (or 3-D) ion temperature remains ambiguous and the analysis is restricted to the determination of the line-of-sight temperature because the theoretical spectrum is insensitive to non-thermal effects when the plasma is viewed along directions almost parallel to the magnetic field. This limitation is expected to apply to any realistic model of the ion velocity distribution, and its consequences are discussed. Fit strategies which allow for mixed ion composition are also considered. Examples of fits to data from various EISCAT observing programmes are presented.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:No Reading authors. Back catalogue items
Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > Department of Meteorology
ID Code:38878

University Staff: Request a correction | Centaur Editors: Update this record

Page navigation