Abstract
Two methods (Langer's method and a Green's function technique) for calculating the electric field near the perturbed reflection layer of an electromagnetic wave propagating along the magnetic field in a polar ionosphere (k ∥ B0 ∥ ∇n0) are compared. Perturbations on the zero order density profile are modelled by localized Gaussians whose depth and extent along the geomagnetic field can be varied. The Green's function technique is found to be useful when short scale length perturbations are present, but is limited by its domain of convergence and numerical efficiency. Comparison to the convergent Green's function technique shows inaccuracies in the Langer method for perturbations whose normalized spatial extent is small in relation to its normalized depth. Results are presented of phase shifts due to short scale density cavities, as may arise from ponderomotive forces due to electrostatic waves. These results delineate the sensitivity required by experiments that use phase shift measurements as a diagnostic tool. The Langer method is used to calculate the electric field for long‐scale cavities typical of ohmic heating modifications.
Published Version
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