Dynamics of plasma density perturbations in the upper ionosphere and the magnetosphere under the action of powerful HF radio waves

Abstract

Dynamics of the density perturbations of the main plasma components (electrons, oxygen and hydrogen ions) in the upper ionosphere and the magnetosphere under the action of powerful HF radio waves is discussed theoretically and numerically. For finite heating pulse and different effective powers the variations of the density perturbations in time at various heights are investigated. We argue that due to collisionless damping the magnetospheric duct along the whole field line is not formed. Instead positive and negative perturbations of the main plasma components propagating with the attenuation in the magnetosphere with two different speeds are predicted. Utilization of pulsed heating provides significant information concerning plasma perturbations in the upper ionosphere and the magnetosphere.