Past applications and future uses of chirped ISR plasma line observations

Abstract

The method of chirped incoherent scatter plasma wave observation is described. Applications of the method to the determination of electron density profiles, ionospheric irregularities, electron temperatures, electron gas vertical motion, field aligned currents, and plasma line enhancements caused by photoelectrons and precipitating auroral electrons are discussed. In all of these observations there is a large increase in the signal-to-noise ratio which allows for much improved time resolution and more accurate determination of ionospheric parameters. Application as a diagnostic tool in ionospheric modification experiments is addressed. The method has been implemented at the Arecibo Observatory and EISCAT. Examples of recent observations are presented. The chirp observation method has not yet found application in routine ISR observations because of lack of sufficient real time computing power.