Analysis and simulation of standing wave pattern of powerful HF radio waves in ionospheric reflection region

Chen Wang,Xu-Bo Yang,Zheng-Yu Zhao,Chen Zhou

doi:10.1186/s40623-015-0285-0

Abstract

For the study of the various non-linear effects generated in ionospheric modulation experiments, accurate calculation of the field intensity variation in the whole reflection region for an electromagnetic wave vertically impinging upon the ionosphere is meaningful. In this paper, mathematical expressions of the electric field components of the characteristic heating waves are derived, by coupling the equation describing a wave initially impinging vertically upon the ionosphere with the Forsterling equation. The variation of each component of the electric field and the total electric field intensity of the standing wave pattern under a specific density profile are calculated by means of a uniform approximation, which is applied throughout the region near the reflection point. The numerical calculation results demonstrate that the total electric field intensity of the ordinary (O)-mode wave varies rapidly in space and reaches several maxima below the reflection point. Evident swelling phenomena of the electric field intensity are found. Our results also indicate that this effect is more pronounced at higher latitudes and that the geomagnetic field is important for wave pattern variation. The electric field intensity of the standing wave pattern of the extraordinary (X)-mode wave exhibits some growth below the reflection point, but its swelling effect is significantly weaker than that of the O-mode wave.

Highlights

For many years, active remote probing by means of high-frequency (HF) radio waves has been a standard technique for diagnosing the ionosphere
In order to correctly interpret the observations made in these experiments, it is essential to be able to accurately calculate the E wave pattern in the whole reflection region
In this paper, we have demonstrated the application of the “uniform approximation” method and the Forsterling equation for investigation of the standing wave pattern of a partially or totally reflected HF wave impinging vertically upon the ionosphere, at different latitudes and at different local times in a single location

Summary

Introduction

Active remote probing by means of high-frequency (HF) radio waves has been a standard technique for diagnosing the ionosphere This is because the recording and analysis of the reflected or scattered part of the HF radiation constitutes a convenient method of determining a number of ionospheric parameters or of investigating various physical processes occurring in the ionospheric plasma. The ionosphere is treated as a natural space plasma laboratory and modulated more actively using high-power HF pump waves, so as to study the interactions of the electromagnetic waves and plasma. Research attempts in this area began with the Platteville heating experiments conducted in Colorado, USA, in the 1960s (Utlaut, 1970; Utlaut and Cohen, 1971; Utlaut and Violette, 1972). In order to correctly interpret the observations made in these experiments, it is essential to be able to accurately calculate the E wave pattern in the whole reflection region

Methods

Results

Conclusion