Drift Velocity Data Research Articles

Inter‐Hemispheric Energy Input Into the Ionosphere‐Thermosphere System During Magnetic Storms: What We Can and Cannot Learn From DMSP Observations

AbstractWe present a long‐term superposed epoch analysis and statistical study with 427 magnetic storms caused by coronal mass ejections and the subsequent magnetospheric energy input into the ionosphere‐thermosphere system. Electron and ion precipitating energy flux data along with plasma drift velocity and magnetic field data (used for Earth‐bound Poynting flux computations) are used in this study. By carefully exploring conjugated inter‐hemispheric energy inputs as a function of storm intensity and seasons, we find that near two‐decades of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program observations indicate that the northern hemisphere (NH) receives slightly more energy than the southern hemisphere (SH) (Poynting flux and integrated electron/ion precipitating energy flux), with the NH receiving more energy as the storm becomes more intense. However, for the Poynting flux case, we find that generally the SH receives more energy when the east‐west component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) becomes highly positive (By ≥ +5 nT), whereas this pattern reverses for cases when IMF By is highly negative (By ≤ −5 nT). The inter‐hemispheric interpretation for electron and ion precipitation energy inputs is ambiguous due to a severe lack of conjugated observations around the midnight sector for both hemispheres.

Equinoctial asymmetry of plasma bubble occurrence and electric field at evening: GPS and ionosonde measurements in Southeast Asia

We have investigated equinoctial asymmetry of scintillation occurrence and zonal irregularity drift velocity observed with closely-spaced GPS receivers at Kototabang (0.20°S, 100.32°E; geomagnetic latitude 10.6°S), Indonesia during a period from 2003 to 2016, and found that the scintillation occurrence rate is higher in Mar. equinox than in Sep. equinox, and that the eastward drift velocity at post-sunset is higher in Mar. equinox than in Sep. equinox. This result is consistent with previous work done by Otsuka et al. (2006), who have analyzed scintillation and zonal drift velocity data obtained at Kototabang in 2003–2004, and suggests that the eastward drift velocity corresponding to the downward electric field at post-sunset may be related to the pre-reversal enhancement of eastward electric field, which could play an important role in generating plasma bubble. In this study, we have investigated vertical drift velocity by analyzing the ionosonde data obtained near magnetic equator (Chumphon, Bac Lieu, and Cebu) during a period from 2003 to 2016, and found that the upward drift velocity at post-sunset is larger in Mar. equinox than Sep. equinox. We also find that solar activity dependence of the zonal and vertical drift velocities is more clearly seen in Mar. equinox than in Sep. equinox. In order to consider the mechanism causing the equinoctial asymmetry of the drift velocities, foF2 obtained by the ionosondes is also analyzed. We find that foF2 also depends on solar activity more clearly in Mar. equinox than in Sep. equinox, and that foF2 during high solar activity conditions is higher in Mar. equinox than in Sep. equinox. These results suggest that in Mar. equinox, due to high electron density, intense electric field could be generated through the F-region dynamo so that plasma bubble likely occurs.

Monte Carlo model for ion mobility and diffusion for characteristic electric fields in nanodosimetry

The quantification of the effects of space radiation for manned spaceflight can be approximated by nanodosimetric measurements. For the development of nanodosimetric detectors, a Monte Carlo model for ion mobility and diffusion for characteristic electric fields is presented.This model can be used to describe the interactions of ions in their parent gas based solely on commonly known input parameters, such as the ionization potential, kinetic diameter, molar mass, and polarizability of the gas. A model for approximating the resonant charge exchange cross section has been proposed, requiring only the ionization energy and mass of the parent gas as input parameters. The method proposed in this work was tested against experimental drift velocity data for a wide range of gases (helium, neon, nitrogen, argon, krypton, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, propane). The transverse diffusion coefficients were compared to experimental values for helium, nitrogen, neon, argon, and propane gas.With the Monte Carlo code and resonant charge exchange cross section approximation model presented in this work, it is now possible to calculate an estimate of the drift velocities, transverse diffusion, and thus the ion mobility of ions in their parent gas. This is essential for further nanodosimetric detector development, as those parameters are often not well known for the gas mixtures used in nanodosimetry.

On the solar activity dependence of midnight equatorial plasma bubbles during June solstice periods

The occurrence of midnight Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) during the June solstice period of the ascending phase of solar cycle 24, from 2010 to 2014, was studied using data from the 47 MHz Equatorial Atmosphere Radar (EAR) at Kototabang, Indonesia. The analysis shows that the occurrence of midnight hour EPBs was at its maximum during the low solar activity year 2010 and monotonically decreased thereafter with increasing solar activity. Details of the dependence of midnight hour EPB occurrence on solar activity were investigated using SAMI2 model simulation with a realistic input of <i><b>E</b></i> × <i><b>B</b></i> drift velocity data obtained from the CINDI-IVM onboard the C/NOFS satellite. Results obtained from term-by-term analysis of the flux tube integrated linear growth rate of RT instability indicate that the formation of a high flux tube electron content height gradient (steep vertical gradient) region at higher altitudes, due to the elevated F layer, is the key factor enhancing the growth rate of RT instability during low solar activity June solstices. Other factors are discussed in light of the relatively weak westward zonal electric field in the presence of the equatorward neutral wind and north-to-south transequatorial wind around the midnight hours of low solar activity June solstices. Also discussed are the initial seeding of RT instability by MSTIDs and how the threshold height required for EPB development varies with solar activity.

Carrier Scattering Mechanisms: Identification via the Scaling Properties of the Boltzmann Transport Equation

AbstractA method based on the scaling properties of the Boltzmann transport equation is proposed to identify the dominant scattering mechanisms that affect charge transport in a semiconductor. This method uses drift velocity data of mobile charges at different lattice temperatures and applied electric fields and takes into account the effect of carrier heating. By performing time‐of‐flight measurements on single‐crystalline diamond, hole and electron drift velocities are measured under low‐injection conditions within the temperature range 10–300 K. Evaluation of the data using the proposed method identifies acoustic phonon scattering as the dominant scattering mechanism across the measured temperature range. The exception is electrons at 100–200 K where conduction‐band valley repopulation has a prominent effect. At temperatures below ≈80 K, where valley polarization is observed for electrons, transport dominated by acoustic phonon scattering is observed in different valleys separately. The scaling model is additionally tested on data from highly resistive gallium arsenide samples to demonstrate the versatility of the method. In this case, impurity scattering can be ruled out as the dominant scattering mechanism in the samples for the temperature range 80–120 K.

Experimental study of a single elongated bubble in liquid in under 10-degree upwardly inclined pipes

Two phase flow is of great interest in chemical and petroleum industries, and multiphase pipe flow models with closure relationships require experimental data for their development and validation. However, only little experimental information is available for slightly upward inclined pipes. Experimental investigations of single elongated bubble in marginally upwardly inclined pipes less than 10° have therefore been performed. Observations of the bubble drift velocity along the pipe has been highlighted. The drift velocity data presented here can contribute to improve knowledge of pipe inclination and viscosity dependency in drift velocity correlations. The new data on the bubble characteristics - shape, length, fraction and drift velocity may also provide useful information for the development and validation of numerical models. The measured drift velocity data have therefore been compared with some recently developed bubble velocity correlations.

The High‐Latitude Trough in the Southern Hemisphere Observed by Swarm‐A Satellite

AbstractBased on the electron density, field‐aligned currents (FACs) and ion drift velocity data from the Swarm‐A satellite during 2013–2018, we investigate the features of the high‐latitude trough in the Southern Hemisphere. The results show that the high‐latitude trough in the Southern Hemisphere is a persistent postmidnight feature in winter. It is observed mainly in the eastern longitudes under low solar activity conditions and in a smaller longitudinal range under high solar activity conditions. The high‐latitude trough moves to higher latitudes at later local times, which is more obvious under low solar activity conditions. We also find that the features of FACs and ion drift velocity distribution in the high‐latitude trough region depend on longitude. In the longitude sector of 0°–70°E, the high‐latitude trough positions are always located at the poleward boundary of the downward FAC region, and collocated with the convection reversal boundary in the postmidnight region. In the longitude sector of 80°–130°E, the high‐latitude trough positions are located at the poleward boundary of the downward FAC region in the midnight region and at the strong westward or antisunward ion flow region in the postmidnight region. It is suggested that the high‐latitude trough formation and evolution is possibly associated with downward FACs, flow stagnation in the convection reversal boundary, and westward or antisunward ion flow.

Negative Differential Resistance Observation and a New Fitting Model for Electron Drift Velocity in GaN-Based Heterostructures

The aim of this paper is an investigation of electric field-dependent drift velocity characteristics for Al0.3Ga0.7N/AlN/GaN heterostructures without and with in situ Si3N4 passivation. The nanosecond-pulsed current–voltage ( ${I}$ – ${V}$ ) measurements were performed using a 20-ns applied pulse. Electron drift velocity depending on the electric field was obtained from the ${I}$ – ${V}$ measurements. These measurements show that a reduction in peak electron velocity from $\text {2.01} \times \text {10}^{\text {7}}$ to $\text {1.39} \times \text {10}^{\text {7}}$ cm/s after in situ Si3N4 passivation. Also, negative differential resistance regime was observed which begins at lower fields with the implementation of in situ Si3N4 passivation. In our samples, the electric field dependence of drift velocity was measured over 400 kV/cm due to smaller sample lengths. Then, a well-known fitting model was fitted to our experimental results. This fitting model was improved in order to provide an adequate description of the field dependence of drift velocity. It gives reasonable agreement with the experimental drift velocity data up to 475 kV/cm of the electric field and could be used in the device simulators.

Determination of equilibrium electron temperature and times using an electron swarm model with BOLSIG+ calculated collision frequencies and rate coefficients

AbstractElectromagnetic pulse (EMP) events produce low‐energy conduction electrons from Compton electron or photoelectron ionizations with air. It is important to understand how conduction electrons interact with air in order to accurately predict EMP evolution and propagation. An electron swarm model can be used to monitor the time evolution of conduction electrons in an environment characterized by electric field and pressure. Here a swarm model is developed that is based on the coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) described by Higgins et al. (1973), hereinafter HLO. The ODEs characterize the swarm electric field, electron temperature, electron number density, and drift velocity. Important swarm parameters, the momentum transfer collision frequency, energy transfer collision frequency, and ionization rate, are calculated and compared to the previously reported fitted functions given in HLO. These swarm parameters are found using BOLSIG+, a two term Boltzmann solver developed by Hagelaar and Pitchford (2005), which utilizes updated cross sections from the LXcat website created by Pancheshnyi et al. (2012). We validate the swarm model by comparing to experimental effective ionization coefficient data in Dutton (1975) and drift velocity data in Ruiz‐Vargas et al. (2010). In addition, we report on electron equilibrium temperatures and times for a uniform electric field of 1 StatV/cm for atmospheric heights from 0 to 40 km. It is shown that the equilibrium temperature and time are sensitive to the modifications in the collision frequencies and ionization rate based on the updated electron interaction cross sections.

A simulation study on the impact of altitudinal dependent vertical plasma drift on the equatorial ionosphere in the evening

AbstractWe carry out a simulation study on the impact of altitudinal dependent plasma drift on the equatorial ionosphere in the evening, under geomagnetically quiet conditions. Our study used the vertical plasma drift velocity data measured by an incoherent scatter radar at Jicamarca (11.95°S, 76.87°W). The data covered the local sunset period on 15 and 16 November 2004. The plasma drift had significant altitudinal variations in the vertical component, which is perpendicular to the magnetic field. We employed SAMI2 (SAMI2 is another model of the ionosphere) to evaluate the effect of the altitude‐dependent ion drift on the equatorial ionosphere. Three types of plasma drift velocity inputs were used in our simulations. The first input is calculated from an empirical model, the second is a height‐averaged drift obtained from the observed drift velocity, and the third one corresponds to the observed altitudinal dependent drift data. A strong equatorial ionization anomaly occurred in the results of all numerical experiments. Additional layers (F3 layers) in electron densities over the equatorial F region and “arch” latitudinal structures extending to lower middle latitudes were seen in the simulations driven by the observed altitudinal dependent drift. We further show that neutral winds do not have a significant effect on the simulated F3 layers. The results of our numerical experiments suggest that the simulated additional ionospheric layers and arch structures are associated with the altitudinal gradients in the vertical plasma drift velocity.

Transport properties of electron swarms in gaseous neon at low values of E/N

A detailed analysis of electron swarm transport through neon gas at applied reduced electric fields of E/N < 2 Td is presented. The root mean square difference of transport parameters calculated from a recent all-order many-body perturbation theory treatment (Cheng et al 2014 Phys. Rev. A 89 012701) with drift velocity measurements by the Australian National University group (Robertson 1972 J. Phys. B 5 648) is less than 1%. Differences of about 3% exist with characteristic energies, DT/μ, (Koizumi et al 1984 J. Phys. B 17 4387) indicating an incompatibility at the 3% level between drift velocity and transverse diffusion coefficient measurements. Multi-term solutions of the Boltzmann equation indicate that the two-term approximation gives transport parameters accurate to better than 0.01%. The diffusion constant at thermal energies is found to be sensitive to the numerical representation of the cross section. A recommended elastic momentum transfer cross section has been constructed that has a maximum difference of 0.5% with all ANU drift velocity data for E/N < 1.6 Td and a root mean square difference that is about a factor of 2 smaller.

Electron Velocity Enhancement in Polarization-doped AlGaN

Three-dimensional electron gas/slabs (3DEG/S) can be obtained using the technique of polarization bulk doping in graded AlGaN semiconductor layer on GaN. Transport characteristics of the graded AlGaN are investigated experimentally through nanosecond-pulsed measurements. The measured current-voltage dependences were used to determine drift velocity data assuming no change in electron density upon applied electric field. The velocity results are compared with that of GaN and ungraded AlGaN/GaN. Also, experimental results are compared with those of Monte Carlo simulation.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.ms.19.2.1797

Transport coefficients for electrons in water vapor: Definition, measurement, and calculation

Comparison of experimental and theoretical transport data for electron swarms in water vapour over a wide range of fields provides a rigorous test of (e(-), H(2)O) scattering cross sections over a correspondingly broad range of energies. That like should be compared with like is axiomatic, but the definition of transport coefficients at high fields, when non-conservative processes are significant, has long been contentious. This paper revisits and distills the most essential aspects of the definition and calculation of transport coefficients, giving numerical results for the drift velocity and ionisation coefficient of electrons in water vapour. In particular, the relationship between the theoretically calculated bulk drift velocities of [K. F. Ness and R. E. Robson, Phys. Rev. A 38, 1446 (1988)] and the experimental "arrival time spectra" drift velocity data of Hasegawa et al. [J. Phys. D 40(8), 2495 (2007)] is established. This enables the Hasegawa et al. data to be reconciliated with the previous literature, and facilitates selection of the best (e(-), H(2)O) cross section set.

The mid-depth circulation of the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean as measured by subsurface floats

The multi-year mean, mid-depth circulation of the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean was estimated from direct velocity measurements obtained over a 7.5-year period by 211 neutrally-buoyant, profiling, subsurface floats. We present a statistical analysis of these drift velocity data, and describe the features of the circulation from 400–1500 m depth as measured by the floats. The time-lagged auto-covariances of velocity indicate a Lagrangian integral time scale of approximately 10 days at all drift depths and throughout the basin. Space–time averages of velocity and the associated error ellipses were constructed, and this information was used in an objective analysis to produce estimates of the multi-year mean flow. Estimates of eddy kinetic energy were also computed. The mapped flow depicts a basin-scale cyclonic gyre bounded in the south by the North Atlantic Current. The strongest currents are found along the coasts of Greenland and Labrador, where mean speeds exceed 10 cm s - 1 . Closed cyclonic recirculations appear just offshore of the boundary currents in the Labrador and Irminger Seas and in the Iceland basin, and also southwest of the Reykjanes Ridge. Topographic steering extends upwards to at least 400 m depth above bathymetry that is significantly deeper, and is most apparent in flow along basin boundaries, around the Reykjanes Ridge, and through gaps in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. In the center of the basin-scale gyre and to the south of the North Atlantic Current flow is characteristically weak with few large-scale circulation features. There is no indication of a strong linkage along the western boundary from the subpolar to subtropical gyre at depths sampled by floats.

Drift velocity measurement and hot electron capture in AlGaN/AlN/GaN

Nanosecond technique was used to control the electron density during the electron drift velocity measurement in the absence of channel self-heating. A threshold-type hot electron capture is determined to be reducing the density of mobile electrons: the reduction up to 30% is found in the investigated range of fields below 65 kV/cm at room temperature. No change in electron density is found in the range below 25 kV/cm. The corrected drift velocity data are presented.

Virtual Drift Velocity of Electrons

A new definition of virtual drift velocity of non-conservative electron swarm in configuration space W r ' is proposed using flight time integral (FTI) expression in pulsed Townsend (PT). Its appropriateness is shown with the agreement of ionization coefficient defined in PT α P = ν iP / W r ' and the Townsend's first ionization coefficient defined in steady state Townsend (SST) α S . An exact drift velocity measurement of non-conservative electron swarm in configuration space will give W r ', and the analysis using the drift velocity data will give correct collision cross sections when the definition of W r ' is used. In addition, the features of the energy distributions and transport coefficients in three observation modes, time of flight (TOF), PT and SST under non-conservative condition are discussed in this paper in relation with the energy conservation in respective modes.

Ion mobilities in Xe/Ne and other rare-gas mixtures.

The ion mobility or drift velocity data important for modeling glow discharges in rare gas mixtures are not generally available, nor are the ion-neutral scattering cross sections needed to calculate these data. In this paper we propose a set of cross sections for Xe+ and Ne+ collisions with Xe and Ne atoms. Ion mobilities at 300 K calculated using this cross section set in a Monte Carlo simulation are reported for reduced field strengths, E/N, up to 1500 x 10(-21) V m(2), in pure gases and in Xe/Ne mixtures containing 5% and 20% Xe/Ne, which are mixtures of interest for plasma display panels (PDPs). The calculated Xe+ mobilities depend strongly on the mixture composition, but the Ne+ mobility varies only slightly with increasing Xe in the mixture over the range studied here. The mobilities in pure gases compare well with available experimental values, and mobilities in gas mixtures at low E/N compare well with our recent measurements which will be published separately. Results from these calculations of ion mobilities are used to evaluate the predictions of Blanc's law and of the mixture rule proposed by Mason and Hahn [Phys. Rev. A 5, 438 (1972)] for determining the ion mobilities in mixtures from a knowledge of the mobilities in each of the pure gases. The mixture rule of Mason and Hahn is accurate to better than 10% at high field strengths over a wide range of conditions of interest for modeling PDPs. We conclude that a good estimate of ion mobilities at high E/N in Xe/Ne and other binary rare gas mixtures can be obtained using this mixture rule combined with known values of mobilities in parent gases and with the Langevin form for mobility of rare gas ions ion in other gases. This conclusion is supported by results in Ar/Ne mixtures which are also presented here.

Tail lobe convection observed by Cluster/EDI

By using drift velocity data measured in the near‐Earth tail lobe by the Electron Drift Instrument aboard the Cluster spacecraft, we study the average tail lobe convection of the Earth's magnetosphere. The data confirm the convection pattern toward the neutral sheet in the meridional (XZ) plane. By dividing the data according to the IMF clock angle, it is found that the convection direction in the plane perpendicular to the Sun‐Earth line (YZ plane) are controlled by the IMF By component. It is understood in terms of the solar wind‐induced electric field to the magnetotail lobe via dayside magnetic reconnection. For positive IMF Bz the average convection velocity is very low. For southward IMF, convection becomes strongest and a dawnward component appears.

Observations of Open-Ocean Deep Convection in the Labrador Sea from Subsurface Floats*

Abstract The occurrence and extent of deep convection in the Labrador Sea in winters 1996/97 and 1997/98 is investigated from measurements of over 200 neutrally buoyant subsurface Profiling Autonomous Lagrangian Circulation Explorer (PALACE) and Sounding Oceanographic Lagrangian Observer (SOLO) floats. In addition to providing drift velocity data and vertical profiles of temperature and salinity, 55 floats are equipped with vertical current meters (VCMs). Time series of vertical velocity (derived from measured pressure and vertical flow past the float) and temperature are obtained from the VCM floats. Mixed layer depths estimated from profile measurements indicate that convection reached depths greater than 1300 m in 1997, but no deeper than 1000 m in 1998. Deep mixed layers were concentrated in the western basin, although a number of deep mixed layers were observed southwest of Cape Farewell and also north of 60°N. The highest variance in vertical velocity and the lowest mean temperatures were found in t...

Lunar tide in the equatorial F region vertical ion drift velocity

Vertical ion drift velocity data from Jicamarca have been analyzed for a lunar semidiurnal tide using a least squares fitting method. Amplitudes of up to 6 m s−1 are obtained with phases in agreement with lunar tidal determinations of other associated physical parameters. Variations between season, solar activity, and day to night are also examined. Generally, amplitudes are larger in the southern summer. Much of the phase variation with season is very similar for solar maximum and minimum years. There is a summer to winter phase change that is most distinct at solar maximum nighttime. A day‐to‐night phase reversal can also been seen in some seasons. Hints of this are also found in the lunar tide in the F region height and in the magnetic variations at Huancayo.