Ion Chemistry of the Ionosphere at E- and F-Region Altitudes: A Review

Abstract

The current state of knowledge of E- and F-region ion chemistry is reviewed. Considerable attention is given to the progress in the chemistry of unexcited N2+, O2+, NO+, O+(4S), N+, H+, He+, Fe+, Mg+, Na+, Ca+, and K+ ions and electronically excited O+(2D), O+(2P), O+(4P), and \( {\text{O}}^{ + } (^{2} {\text{P}}^{*} ) \) ions. Achievements in our understanding of the role of vibrationally excited N2+, O2+, and NO+ ions in the ionosphere are discussed.