Atmospheric solar tides and their electrodynamic effects—III. The polarization electric field

Abstract

In this final part of our three-part study, we consider the polarization electric field generated by E-region dynamo action, and establish its consistency with presently available experimental measurements. This serves as an independent check on some of the results and conclusions described in Parts I and II. Incoherent scatter measurements of ionospheric drifts are reviewed from the point of view of determining the origin of the polarization electric field in the quiet-time ionosphere, and are compared with the theoretical dynamo electric fields which drive the current systems in Parts I and II. The analysis indicates that the polarization fields originating from E-region dynamo action are consistent with daytime F-region drift measurements, But are in poor agreement at night. This supports previous suggestions that electric fields generated by the plasmaspheric and F-region dynamos are short-circuited by the high E-region conductivity during the day, but contribute strongly to the night-time electric field.