Ionospheric heating by radio waves: Predictions for Arecibo and the satellite power station

Abstract

The effect of resistive heating by radio waves on ionospheric temperatures, electron densities, and airglow emissions is examined by using numerical ionospheric structure and heat balance codes. Two cases are studied: (1) a 3‐GHz, 10‐GW microwave beam from a proposed satellite power station and (2) 1‐MW and 3‐MW beams of 15‐MHz radio waves launched by the Arecibo antenna. By intent, these two cases have similar intensities and geometries of resistive heating. The most dramatic heating effects are predicted to occur in the E region, where a thermal runaway will take place. The E region electron temperature will increase from 200°K to roughly 1000°K, and the E region electron density will increase by a factor of about 3. In the F region, where thermal conductivity plays an important role, temperature increases of 200°–500°K will appear along magnetic field lines passing through the radio wave beams. Enhanced emissions in airglow and molecular infrared lines will also occur. Radio wave heating, when combined with the diagnostic capabilities of the Arecibo incoherent scatter radar, will generate new opportunities to measure the rates of atomic physics processes and neutral atmosphere temperatures and composition at D and E region altitudes.