Artificial field-aligned irregularities in the nightside auroral ionosphere

Abstract

Experimental results from two Tromsø HF heating experiments in the nightside high latitudinal F region are examined. Bi-static scatter measurements of HF diagnostic signals were carried out on the London–Tromsø–St. Petersburg and Pori–Tromsø–St. Petersburg paths using a Doppler spectral method. The properties and behaviour of artificial field-aligned small-scale irregularities (striations) in the nightside high latitudinal F-region in course of the Tromsø ionospheric modification experiments are studied. Experimental studies have been performed by the use of phased array 1 with a beamwidth of 6° instead of 12–14° in phased array 2, more often used in Tromsø ionospheric modification experiments. The comparison between two experiments carried out in the same background geophysical conditions, shows the strongest striations in the field-aligned position of the heater beam. Possible explanation for this angular dependence is self-focusing of HF pump waves on striations causing the energy to be distributed asymmetrically. A principal question related to HF heating experiments is how is the disturbed auroral ionosphere modified. The results obtained on two paths simultaneously have shown that the strong heater-induced striations were observed along with natural ones. Velocities of heater-induced striations were quite different at different parts of the heated volume. It is suggested that the heater-induced striations can be grouped in two patches at different heights possibly due to the temperature-gradient-driven instability.