VLF Transmitter Research Articles

Variation of some planetary seismic hazard indices on the occasion of Lefkada, Greece, earthquake of 17 November, 2015

In this paper we investigate the variation of the tidal triggering effect efficiency, by means of the tidal seismicity compliance parameter p, and the lower Ionosphere variations, by means of the variation of the High-Frequency limit, fo, of the ionospheric turbulence content with the time and space proximity to the site of the earthquake occurrence as well as by the intensity variations of VLF signals transmitted over the seismic area. It is shown that the “Earth tides-seismicity compliance parameter” p may be used as a medium time earthquake warning while the frequency content of the ionospheric turbulence over the earthquake epicenter, deduced directly from GPS network TEC observations or indirectly through the VLF transmission network, may be used for the short time earthquake forecasting, deserving the special attention of the authorities, the scientists and the society.

Reconstruction of the Parameters of the Lower Midlatitude Ionosphere in M- and X-Class Solar Flares

The paper presents the results of the reconstruction of the effective height h' and the slope of the profile β of the electron concentration in the D layer of the ionosphere during X-ray flares of M- and X-classes at the midlatitudes. The reconstruction was carried out with data from measurements at the observatory of the Institute of Geospheres Dynamics of the Russian Academy of Sciences at the Mikhnevo observatory of amplitudes and the phases of signals from VLF transmitters GQD (19.6 kHz) and GBZ (22.1 kHz) that propagate along one mid-latitude path. Based on the calculations, the empirical dependencies of the parameters h' and β on the flare energy according to the X-ray flux measurements on the GOES satellite are in the range 0.05–0.4 nm. Criteria are proposed for the selection of solar flares for the verification of theoretical computational models.

The influence of the ionospheric disturbance on the ground based VLF transmitter signal recorded by LEO satellite – Insight from full wave simulation

The earthquakes could induce ionospheric electron density disturbance at D/E, F layer and even topside of ionosphere. Subsequently the ionospheric disturbance would change the electromagnetic field from the ground based VLF transmitter. Nowadays, the electromagnetic field recorded by Low earth orbit (LEO) satellite have been used to study the possible seismic anomalies frequently. It is essential to study systematically how the ionospheric disturbance influences the electromagnetic field at the altitude of LEO satellite theoretically. In this paper, we construct a full wave model to simulate the influence of the amplitude, altitude, and scale of the ionospheric disturbance on the electromagnetic field in the ionosphere from the ground based VLF transmitter. The result shows the electromagnetic field at the altitude of satellite changes obviously when the wave encounters an ionospheric disturbance in the D/E layer. The variation of the electromagnetic field increases with the amplitude and scale of the ionospheric disturbance. However, the influence of the ionospheric disturbance in the F layer just has a local effect on the electromagnetic field. The influence of ionospheric disturbance in the nighttime on the variation of electromagnetic field is smaller compared with it in the daytime. These conclusions can improve our understanding of using electromagnetic field observed by satellite to study seismic anomalies.

The Impenetrable Barrier: Suppression of Chorus Wave Growth by VLF Transmitters

AbstractRapid radiation belt recovery following storm time depletion involves local acceleration of multi‐MeV electrons in nonlinear interactions with VLF chorus waves. Previous studies of an apparent impenetrable barrier at L ~ 2.8 focused on diffusion and precipitation loss mechanisms for an explanation of the sharp reduction of multi‐MeV electron fluxes earthward of L ~ 3. Van Allen Probes observations for cases when the plasmasphere is contracted earthward of L ~ 3 indicate that strong coherent signals from VLF transmitters can play significant roles in the suppression of nonlinear chorus wave growth earthward of L ~ 3. As a result, local nonlinear acceleration of hundreds of keV electrons to MeV energies does not occur in this region. During the recovery of the outer radiation belt when the plasmasphere is significantly contracted, the suppression of chorus wave growth and local acceleration by the action of the transmitter waves at the outer edge of the VLF bubble contributes to the sharp inner edge of the new MeV electron population and the formation of the impenetrable barrier at L ~ 2.8.

Dynamics of Energetic Electrons in the Slot Region During Geomagnetically Quiet Times: Losses Due to Wave‐Particle Interactions Versus a Source From Cosmic Ray Albedo Neutron Decay (CRAND)

AbstractEarth's slot region, lying between the outer and inner radiation belts, has been identified as due to a balance between inward radial diffusion and pitch angle (PA) scattering induced by waves. However, recent satellite observations and modeling studies indicate that cosmic ray albedo neutron decay (CRAND) may also play a significant role in energetic electron dynamics in the slot region. In this study, using a drift‐diffusion‐source model, we investigate the relative contribution of all significant waves and CRAND to the dynamics of energetic electrons in the slot region during July 2014, an extended period of quiet geomagnetic activity. The bounce‐averaged PA diffusion coefficients from three types of waves (hiss, lightning‐generated whistlers [LGW], and very low frequency [VLF] transmitters) are calculated based on quasi‐linear theory, while the CRAND source follows the results in Xiang et al. (2019, https://doi.org/10.1029/2018GL081730). The simulation results indicate that both LGW and VLF transmitter waves can enhance loss and weaken the top hat PA distribution induced by hiss waves. For 470 keV electrons at L = 2.5, simulation results without CRAND show a much quicker decrease than observations from the Van Allen Probes. After including CRAND, simulated electron flux variations reproduce satellite observations, suggesting that CRAND is an important source for hundreds of keV electrons in the slot region during quiet times. The balance between the CRAND source and loss due to wave‐particle interactions provides a lower limit to relativistic electron fluxes in the slot region, which can act as an important reference point for instrument calibration when a true background level is warranted.

A multi-experiment approach to ascertain electromagnetic precursors of Nepal earthquakes

The experimental data obtained from three different techniques such as (i) subsurface VLF electric field measured with the help of a borehole antenna (ii) total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere measured with a GPS receiver and (iii) VLF amplitude of subionospheric fixed frequency (f = 19.8 kHz) NWC (Naval Communication Station) transmitter signals monitored with SoftPAL receiver are analysed in relation to two major Nepal earthquakes occurred on 25 April (M = 7.8) and 12 May (M = 7.3), 2015. The VLF electric field data and fixed frequency VLF transmitter signal data are taken from Mathura and Agra stations in India whereas TEC data are taken from three IGS stations, one of which Lucknow (Lck3) is located in India and others Lhasa (Lhaz) and Wuhan (Wuhan) are located in China, all within 800 km from epicenters of two earthquakes except Wuhan which is located at about 2865 km. The results of the analysis indicate that while borehole and TEC data show anomalies in normal variations within 8–15 days prior to the earthquake of 25 April, the same occur within 5–7 days prior to the earthquake of 12 May. The subionospheric variations of VLF amplitude also show an anomaly 4 days before the later earthquake. Occurrence of these anomalies is examined critically in the light of local lightning and magnetic storms. However, these factors are not found to influence the data. A brief description of generation and propagation mechanisms of seismogenic emissions is also presented.

Ionosphere D-layer lowering in the region of the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly

In this paper we analyse the effects of 25 solar flare events over long VLF propagation paths, one of them with the very remarkable property of crossing nearly the centre with the lowest magnetic field intensity in the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA). The phase of the VLF transmitter signal (NPM: 21.4 kHz) on Lualualei, Hawaii, was recorded at the stations Punta Lobos (PLO, Peru) and Atibaia (ATI, Brazil) between 2007 March and 2011 September. Both paths NPM-PLO and NPM-ATI are collinear, and the comparison of the recorded phases suggests a descent of the lower ionosphere quiescent reflection height, possibly associated with the weakening of the Earth magnetic field in the SAMA region.

Precursors signatures of few major earthquakes in Italy using very low frequency signal of 45.9 kHz

On May 20 and May 29, 2012, earthquakes of magnitude MW 6.1 and 5.8, respectively, struck Emilia-Romagna of Italy. We present the results obtained from the US Navy VLF Transmitter’s NSY signal of 45.9 kHz transmitted from Niscemi, in the province of Sicily, Italy, and received at the Kiel Longwave Monitor, Germany, for 2012. We analyzed the terminator times, D-layer preparation and disappearance times and nighttime fluctuation parameters. We also analyzed trends, dispersion and nighttime fluctuation which gave us possible precursors to these earthquakes. Possible perturbations due to other factors were filtered. Moreover, the findings of these two earthquakes were compared to Central Italy EQ on August 24, 2016, and Tuscany EQ on June 21, 2013. Therefore, this manuscript is the overall analysis of four earthquakes, out of which two were already published before. As our TRGCP path is North–South, the sunrise and sunset times in transmitter and receiver places match making a pathway for VLF/LF smoother and therefore hoping to obtain more natural data. We found many clear anomalies (as precursors) in terminator times 5 days to 16 days before the earthquakes. Moreover, using nighttime fluctuation method, we found clear anomalies 5–13 days prior to main earthquakes. This exactly correlates with the findings of previous authors that ionospheric perturbations are seen from few days to few weeks before the seismic activity. In addition to this, we observed an unexpected decrease in dispersion on certain anomalies where it was supposed to increase, thereby not supporting our finding to some extent. To resolve this problem, we devised a new parameter called dispersion nighttime (dispersion*). On analyzing, this parameter decreases significantly on days of nighttime anomalies, thereby supporting our precursors to much extent.

A high Q piezoelectric resonator as a portable VLF transmitter

Very low frequency communication systems (3 kHz–30 kHz) enable applications not feasible at higher frequencies. However, the highest radiation efficiency antennas require size at the scale of the wavelength (here, >1 km), making portable transmitters extremely challenging. Facilitating transmitters at the 10 cm scale, we demonstrate an ultra-low loss lithium niobate piezoelectric electric dipole driven at acoustic resonance that radiates with greater than 300x higher efficiency compared to the previous state of the art at a comparable electrical size. A piezoelectric radiating element eliminates the need for large impedance matching networks as it self-resonates at the acoustic wavelength. Temporal modulation of this resonance demonstrates a device bandwidth greater than 83x beyond the conventional Bode-Fano limit, thus increasing the transmitter bitrate while still minimizing losses. These results will open new applications for portable, electrically small antennas.

Ground-Based Measurements of the Outer-Ionosphere Turbulence Induced by a High-Power VLF Transmitter

We present experimental results on the detection of artificial irregularities produced in the ionospheric plasma by a high-power VLF transmitter. The analysis of TEC variations and ionosonde data was used for the diagnostics of ionospheric turbulence. Spatial distribution of the electric field amplitude of the VLF transmitter was calculated for selection of the NAVSTAR and GPS satellites the signal from which passes through the perturbed region. A quite different TEC variation curve was observed in the reference measurement when the transmitter was out of operation. Operation of the VLF transmitter resulted in the appearance of F spread in the ionosonde data (the effect took place at night). The experiment showed for the first time that with the help of ground-based measurements of TEC it is possible to study the region of turbulence in the outer ionosphere induced by the operation of a VLF radio station.

Observed Propagation Route of VLF Transmitter Signals in the Magnetosphere

AbstractSignals of powerful ground transmitters at various places have been detected by satellites in near‐Earth space. The study on propagation mode, ducted or nonducted, has attracted much attentions for several decades. Based on the statistical results from Van Allen Probes (data from October 2012 to March 2017) and DEMETER satellite (from January 2006 to December 2007), we present the ground transmitter signals distributed clearly in ionosphere and magnetosphere. The observed propagation route in the meridian plane in the magnetosphere for each of various transmitters from the combination of DEMETER and Van Allen Probes data in nighttime is revealed for the first time. We use realistic ray tracing simulation and compare simulation results against Van Allen Probes and DEMETER observation. By comparison we demonstrate that the observed propagation route, with partial deviation from the field lines corresponding to ground stations, provides direct and clear statistical evidence that the nonducted propagation mode plays a main role, although with partial contribution from ducted propagation. The propagation characteristics of VLF transmitter signals in the magnetosphere are critical for quantitatively assessing their contribution to energetic electron loss in radiation belts.

Influences of radiation from terrestrial power sources on the ionosphere above China based on satellite observation

The environmental effect on the ionosphere caused by man-made power line emission (PLE) and power line harmonic radiation (PLHR) has become an increasing concern. Based on the observed data of 6.5 operating years of DEMETER satellite, by scanning the electric field power density time-frequency spectrograms, 133 PLHR events with central frequencies from 500 Hz to 4.5 kHz are detected in the near-Earth space above China. The fundamental frequency related well to the frequency of corresponding ground power system. Among the 133 events, 129 events have PLE events at the base power system frequency (50 Hz in China). The duration time of every PLE event covers that of the corresponding PLHR event totally. As the same with PLHR, PLE is also propagating in whistler mode in the ionosphere. In two events that are detected in the conjugate region of Australian NWC VLF transmitter, radiations with line structure in the vicinity of 19.8 kHz are detected, suggesting a possible interaction between the NWC signal and radiation from China’s power system.

Polarization of Narrowband VLF Transmitter Signals as an Ionospheric Diagnostic

AbstractVery low frequency (VLF, 3–30 kHz) transmitter remote sensing has long been used as a simple yet useful diagnostic for the D region ionosphere (60–90 km). All it requires is a VLF radio receiver that records the amplitude and/or phase of a beacon signal as a function of time. During both ambient and disturbed conditions, the received signal can be compared to predictions from a theoretical model to infer ionospheric waveguide properties like electron density. Amplitude and phase have in most cases been analyzed each as individual data streams, often only the amplitude is used. Scattered field formulation combines amplitude and phase effectively, but does not address how to combine two magnetic field components. We present polarization ellipse analysis of VLF transmitter signals using two horizontal components of the magnetic field. The shape of the polarization ellipse is unchanged as the source phase varies, which circumvents a significant problem where VLF transmitters have an unknown source phase. A synchronized two‐channel MSK demodulation algorithm is introduced to mitigate 90° ambiguity in the phase difference between the horizontal magnetic field components. Additionally, the synchronized demodulation improves phase measurements during low‐SNR conditions. Using the polarization ellipse formulation, we take a new look at diurnal VLF transmitter variations, ambient conditions, and ionospheric disturbances from solar flares, lightning‐ionospheric heating, and lightning‐induced electron precipitation, and find differing signatures in the polarization ellipse.

DEMETER observations of manmade waves that propagate in the ionosphere

Abstract This paper is a review of manmade waves observed by the ionospheric satellite DEMETER. It concerns waves emitted by the ground-based VLF and ELF transmitters, by broadcasting stations, by the power line harmonic radiation, by industrial noise, and by active experiments. Examples are shown including, for the first time, the record of a wave coming from an ELF transmitter. These waves propagate upwards in the magnetosphere and they can be observed in the magnetically conjugated region of emission. Depending on their frequencies, they perturb the ionosphere and the particles in the radiation belts, and additional emissions are triggered.

Ionospheric perturbations due to earthquakes as determined from VLF and GPS-TEC data analysis at Agra, India

Employing SoftPAL receiver, amplitude variations of VLF transmitter signals NWC (19.8 kHz) and NPM (21.4 kHz) are analyzed at Agra station in India (Geograph. lat. 27.2°N, long. 78°E) ±15 days from five major earthquakes of magnitude M = 6.9–8.5 occurred in Indian subcontinent during the years 2011–2013. We apply nighttime fluctuation (NF) method and show that in almost all cases the trend decreases and dispersion and NF increase on the same days corresponding to each earthquake about 11–15 days prior to the main shock. Assuming that the ionospheric perturbations are caused by atmospheric gravity waves (AGW), we also calculate AGW modulation index for each case and find its values increased on the days amplitude fluctuations take place. Its value is decreased in one case only where the perturbations may be attributed to penetration of seismogenic electric field.In order to support the above results we also present GPS-TEC data analyzed by us corresponding to three of the above earthquakes. We study the TEC anomalies (unusual enhancements) and find that in one case the precursory period is almost the same as that found in NF method.

On precursors to the Italy earthquake M.6.2 using VLF signal of NSY(45.9 kHz) received at Kiel Longwave Monitor

On August 24, 2016, an earthquake of magnitude 6.2 struck Central Italy (42.706°N and 13.223°E) at 1:36 UT. We present the results obtained from the US Navy VLF Transmitter’s NSY signal of 45.9 kHz transmitted from Niscemi, in the province of Sicily, Italy and received at the Kiel Longwave Monitor, Germany for 2016. We analysed the terminator times and their individual differences. We also analysed trends, dispersion and night time fluctuation which gave us a possible precursor the Italy earthquake. We found ionospheric perturbations in these parameters on 14th, 19th and 22nd of August, few days prior. Moreover, we filtered the possible effects due to lightning, storms and auroras if any.

Diffusive Transport of Several Hundred keV Electrons in the Earth's Slot Region

AbstractWe investigate the gradual diffusion of energetic electrons from the inner edge of the outer radiation belt into the slot region. The Van Allen Probes observed slow inward diffusion and decay of ~200–600 keV electrons following the intense geomagnetic storm that occurred on 17 March 2013. During the 10 day nondisturbed period following the storm, the peak of electron fluxes gradually moved from L ~ 2.7 to L ~ 2.4, and the flux levels decreased by a factor of ~2–4 depending on the electron energy. We simulated the radial intrusion and decay of electrons using a three‐dimensional diffusion code, which reproduced the energy‐dependent transport of electrons from ~100 keV to 1 MeV in the slot region. At energies of 100–200 keV, the electrons experience fast transport across the slot region due to the dominance of radial diffusion; at energies of 200–600 keV, the electrons gradually diffuse and decay in the slot region due to the comparable rate of radial diffusion and pitch angle scattering by plasmaspheric hiss; at energies of E > 700 keV, the electrons stopped diffusing near the inner edge of outer radiation belt due to the dominant pitch angle scattering loss. In addition to plasmaspheric hiss, magnetosonic waves and VLF transmitters can cause the loss of high pitch angle electrons, relaxing the sharp “top‐hat” shaped pitch angle distributions created by plasmaspheric hiss. Our simulation indicates the importance of balance between radial diffusion and loss through pitch angle scattering in forming the diffusive intrusion of energetic electrons across the slot region.

Plasma perturbations in the coexisting environment of VLF transmitter emission, lightning strokes and seismic activity

We analyzed plasma perturbations occurring in the coexisting environment of powerful VLF transmitter emission, intense lightning strokes and strong seismic activity during pregnant period. The results suggest that anomalous electron bursts with energy dispersion in the range of ~100–350 keV, forming the “wisp” signature, are due to cyclotron resonance of electrons with monochromatic waves from the powerful NWC VLF transmitters during nighttime. The intense broad band VLF emissions (up-going 0+ whistlers) are observed while the DEMETER satellite goes through the region of intense thunderstorm activities at mid-latitudes. However, the effects of intense lightning activity and pregnant earthquake have little impact on this kind of stable energy-dispersed electron structures, despite the fact that they are presumably two primary reasons for the particle precipitation in the ionosphere. The case studied here provides us a valuable opportunity to address the various sources triggering the anomalous plasma perturbations in the ionosphere.

Perturbations to the lower ionosphere by tropical cyclone Evan in the South Pacific Region

AbstractVery low frequency (VLF) electromagnetic signals from navigational transmitters propagate worldwide in the Earth‐ionosphere waveguide formed by the Earth and the electrically conducting lower ionosphere. Changes in the signal properties are signatures of variations in the conductivity of the reflecting boundary of the lower ionosphere which is located in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere, and their analysis is, therefore, a way to study processes in these remote regions. Here we present a study on amplitude perturbations of local origin on the VLF transmitter signals (NPM, NLK, NAA, and JJI) observed during tropical cyclone (TC) Evan, 9–16 December 2012 when TC was in the proximity of the transmitter‐receiver links. We observed a maximum amplitude perturbation of 5.7 dB on JJI transmitter during 16 December event. From Long Wave Propagation Capability model applied to three selected events we estimate a maximum decrease in the nighttime D region reference height (H′) by ~5.2 km (13 December, NPM) and maximum increase in the daytime D region H′ by 6.1 km and 7.5 km (14 and 16 December, JJI). The results suggest that the TC caused the neutral densities of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere to lift and sink (bringing the lower ionosphere with it), an effect that may be mediated by gravity waves generated by the TC. The perturbations were observed before the storm was classified as a TC, at a time when it was a tropical depression, suggesting the broader conclusion that severe convective storms, in general, perturb the mesosphere and the stratosphere through which the perturbations propagate.

Van Allen Probes observations of whistler‐mode chorus with long‐lived oscillating tones

AbstractWhistler‐mode chorus plays an important role in the radiation belt electron dynamics. In the frequency‐time spectrogram, chorus often appears as a hiss‐like band and/or a series of short‐lived (up to ∼1 s) discrete elements. Here we present some rarely reported chorus emissions with long‐lived (up to 25 s) oscillating tones observed by the Van Allen Probes in the dayside (MLT ∼9–14) midlatitude (|MLAT|>15°) region. An oscillating tone can behave either regularly or irregularly and can even transform into a nearly constant tone (with a relatively narrow frequency sweep range). We suggest that these highly coherent oscillating tones were generated naturally rather than being related to some artificial VLF transmitters. Possible scenarios for the generation of the oscillating tone chorus are as follows: (1) being nonlinearly triggered by the accompanying hiss‐like bands or (2) being caused by the modulation of the wave source. The details of the generation and evolution of such a long‐lived oscillating tone chorus need to be investigated both theoretically and experimentally in the future.