Sunset-sunrise characteristics of sporadic layers of ionization in the lower ionosphere observed by the method of resonance scattering of radio waves from artificial periodic inhomogeneities of the ionospheric plasma

• Published in: Radiophysics and quantum electronics Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 14 - 28
• Main Authors: Bakhmet'eva, N V, Belikovich, V V, Kagan, L M, Ponyatov, A A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer Nature B.V 01.01.2005
• Subjects: Density; Formations; Heating; Ionization; Ionosphere; Lower ionosphere; Plasma; Radio waves; Radios; Relaxation time; Vertical motion; Wind shear
• ISSN: 0033-8443; 1573-9120
• DOI: 10.1007/s11141-005-0044-3

We present the results of studying the sporadic layers of ionization in the lower ionosphere observed in the sunset-sunrise time during the summer months of 2000 and 2001. Measurements were performed at the "Sura" heating facility of the Radiophysical Research Institute (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia). Based on the analysis of the altitude-time dependences of the amplitude, relaxation time, and phase of the scattered signal, we obtain new data on the formation and dynamics of the evening and nighttime mid-latitude sporadic E layer, present the results of measuring the velocity of the plasma vertical motion, and estimate the relative molecular mass and total number density of metal ions whose pile-up due to the wind shear can cause the formation of the observed sporadic layers.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]