VHF propagation modes within ionospheric waveguides

A three dimensional waveguide model of VHF ducting has been developed. The waveguide is aligned along the Earth's magnetic field and has an elliptical cross-section which, based on observations of ionospheric bubble irregularities, is taken to have axes of 10–100 km. Rays propagating to the conjugate hemisphere via the duct undergo relatively few reflections at the duct walls (typically 3–20). Consequently the waveguides are not fully excited and significant power is transmitted by modes which are not fully trapped. A complete analysis of the propagation characteristics of such ducts requires the consideration of trapped and leaky modes, focusing and tunnelling. The cross-section of the guide is defined by specifying the vertical and East-West horizontal axes at the apex of the guide (magnetic equator). Comparison of cases with the same vertical axis shows that, when the vertical axis is larger than the East-West axis, the curvature on the upper surface of the guide is consequently increased and tunnelling becomes more important. On the other hand, when the vertical axis is the smaller, focusing is greater and leaky rays become increasingly important. In some models the region of highest power in the conjugate hemisphere is due almost entirely to rays which have suffered some leakage. Obviously non-trapped modes need to be considered when attempting to explain phenomena such as trans-equatorial propagation at VHF.     

MF and HF ducting within equatorial bubbles

MF and HF conjugate ducting is often observed while satellite sounders are within equatorial bubbles. This paper examines two possible forms of this propagation. The first is guiding by the bubble itself, the second is ducting along irregularities, of small cross-section, embedded in the bubble. One bubble model, based on observations by Dyson and Benson [Geophys. Res. Lett. 9, 795 (1978)], gives some results at variance with observation. Nevertheless it is considered that slight changes to the model, such as asymmetries between the conjugate ionospheres, should remove the discrepancies. The results show that bubbles themselves will definitely produce conjugate ducting on occasions. The alternative explanation requires ducts of small cross-section, distributed throughout the bubble in order to produce conjugate ducting on successive ionograms. Good matches between calculated and observed echo traces for conjugate echoes were obtained using this model. It is likely that both forms of propagation occur.     

On transequatorial VHP propagation paths

Recent modelling has shown that evening VHF transequatorial propagation can occur by ducting through discrete, equatorial plasma bubbles. The model is used to interpret transequatorial two-way communications reports to evaluate the size and location of the zone in one magnetic hemisphere which may receive VHF radio waves from a single transmitter in the other hemisphere. At 144 MHz the mean zone radius is 987 km and the zone is compressed in latitude and extended in longitude by an axial ratio of about 2:1.     

MF and HF propagation characteristics of ionospheric ducts

The propagation of MF and HF radio waves along ionospheric ducts is studied in detail by developing a waveguide model of the ducts and determining power levels of ducted echoes. The Earth's magnetic field is included, making the propagation medium anisotropic, and influencing the ray paths through field curvature. Electron density gradients, along and transverse to the field lines are considered, and both circular and elliptical duct cross-sections are treated. Propagation characteristics of the ducts are determined by ray tracing using Haselgrove's equations. Comparison with analytical solutions for simple waveguides is used to elucidate the effects of field line curvature and focussing. Distributions of returned echo power have been calculated for ducts with various cross-sections and different depletions in electron density. It is found that field aligned ducts with diameters of the order of several kilometers behave as effective waveguides for both direct and conjugate ducting modes. However, the percentage depletion required for guiding is higher than previous calculations using simplified theory. The field line curvature causes most power distributions to be shifted upwards from the duct centre. It also causes ducting to be confined to the upper boundary of ducts, especially if they are elongated in the vertical direction. The variation of power across a duct can be quite complicated and distinctive. For direct ducting, there is a clear relationship between the total integrated power across a duct and the electron density gradient and propagation frequency.     

Recent progress in transequatorial propagation—review

Transequatorial propagation of HF and VHF radio waves is placed into three categories according to the physical mechanisms. Specular reflection off the underside of the anomalously dense equatorial F-layer is predictable by ray tracing and limited to frequencies less than about 60 MHz. Multipoint reflection from bottomside irregularities applies for the same radio frequencies but is associated with travelling ionospheric disturbances and spread-F traces on ionograms. This type of TEP may be used as a technique for studying some of the properties of bottomside irregularities. Ducted propagation of VHF waves depends upon high plasma density gradients and occurs along equatorial plasma bubbles during the evening hours. Observations on the ducted VHF mode relate to the behaviour of plasma bubbles.     

Investigation by ray-tracing of the effect of a summer-winter asymmetry on whistler ducting

A ray-tracing model of the inner magnetosphere (L < 6) is constructed for a plasma distribution asymmetric about the equatorial plane, thus representing summer and winter conditions in the two hemispheres. At the reference height of 900 km, the oxygen ion concentration and electron density are taken to vary by factors of ten and two respectively between the hemispheres. The concentrations of hydrogen and helium ions at the reference level are chosen to ensure electron density continuity across the equatorial plane. The altitude at which ducts terminate is modelled to differ between the two hemispheres in accordance with the numerical simulations of Bernhardt and Park (1977).It is shown that the different plasma distributions in the two hemispheres affect the paths of ducted rays and consequently the likelihood of the reception of one-hop whistlers in the conjugate hemisphere. The difference in final latitude between propagation in the symmetric and asymmetric models for the same initial latitude is largest when ducts extend down to 300 km altitude in the conjugate hemisphere. When ducts terminate at greater altitude, the effect of a difference in termination heights between the two hemispheres generally has a larger effect than that of the plasma asymmetry. Both these effects may play a role in determining the seasonal variation of whistler occurrence.     

Modelling of transequatorial propagation of HF radio waves

In the geometrical optics approximation, a synthesis oblique ionogram of ionospheric and magnetospheric HF radio wave signals propagating between magnetic conjugate points has been carried out. The magnetospheric HF propagation is considered for a model of the waveguide formed by field-aligned irregularities with depleted electron density. The characteristic peculiarities of the magnetospheric mode have been determined: (i) strong disperion of the group delay with a frequency at 14–18 MHz, from − 1.4 to 0.6 ms/MHz for magnetically conjugate points at geomagnetic latitudes φ = 30°, 40° and 50°, respectively, (ii) spreading ∼ 1–2 ms, and (iii) a possibility of propagation between magnetic conjugates points at moderately low geomagnetic latitudes φ₀ ∼ 30–40° at frequencies exceeding 1.5 times the maximum usable frequency (MUF) of multi-hop ionospheric propagation.     

Study of equatorial plasma bubble dynamics using GHz scintillation observations in the Indian sector

To study equatorial plasma bubble dynamics, telemetry signals (4 GHz) were recorded simultaneously from two geostationary satellites. INSAT-1B (74°E) and INSAT-1C (94°E) at Sikandarabad satellite Earth station (dip 42.0°) from January to December 1989 and at the Chenglepet satellite Earth station (dip 10.5°) during September–October 1989 along the same geomagnetic meridian. The characteristics and occurrence pattern of the scintillations suggest that these are equatorial plasma bubble induced events. Observations from the two satellites recorded simultaneously at each of these locations were utilized to estimate the east-west plasma bubble irregularity motion. Plasma bubble rise velocities over the magnetic equator were calculated from the systematic onset time differences observed between an equatorial and a low latitude station. The east-west plasma bubble velocity estimated at Sikandarabad, corresponding to 1200 km altitude in the equatorial plane, shows a night time variation pattern with a peak at around 2100 LT. The mean values over Chenglepet, which correspond to 400 km altitude, start decreasing right from 1900 LT and seem to be influenced by the plasma bubble rise velocities. The differences in magnitude observed between the present results and those reported elsewhere by other techniques are interpreted in terms of vertical shears in the plasma zonal flow over the equator. The near alignment of the two observing stations along a common geomagnetic meridian and the simultaneous use of two satellites located twenty degrees apart in longitude provided an excellent data base to study plasma bubble dynamics.     

Equatorial F-layer irregularity patches at anomaly latitudes

Recent studies of the physics of F-layer irregularities in the equatorial ionosphere have been concerned with the development of plumes or patches. A series of observations in the equatorial anomaly region in a year of high solar flux has been analyzed for the radio propagation effect of scintillations. The observations were made on patches in the developing, mature and decay phases. Although irregularities develop on the west wall of the patches, the intensity of scintillation does not appear to diminish within the patch; the patches contain bursts of high level activity.Patch characteristics at microwave wavelengths match airglow depletion images when two considerations are introduced, i.e. the westward tilt of the patch as shown by optical and radar observations and the effective path length of the irregularities affecting the radio propagation path. Using optical images of depletions the effective thickness of the layer of irregularities above the peak of the F2-layer can be estimated; it is relatively short, i.e. of the order of 70 km for the gigaHertz frequencies and 150 km for the 257 MHz transmissions. The total path length is 110 km for the microwave frequencies and 220 km for the lower levels of scintillation at 257 MHz. The decrease in microwave scintillations compared to meter wavelength observations in the midnight and post-midnight time period in these anomaly observations is due to the combination of decay of electron density as well as the relatively rapid decay of smaller scale irregularities, as has previously been noted in observations at the magnetic equator.     

Equatorial scintillations: advances since ISEA-6

Since the last equatorial aeronomy meeting in 1980, our understanding of the morphology of equatorial scintillations has advanced greatly due to more intensive observations at the equatorial anomaly locations in the different longitude zones. The unmistakable effect of the sunspot cycle in controlling irregularity belt width and electron concentration responsible for strong scintillation in the GHz range has been demonstrated. The fact that night-time F-region dynamics is an important factor in controlling the magnitude of scintillations has been recognized by interpreting scintillation observations in the light of realistic models of total electron content at various longitudes. A hypothesis based on the alignment of the solar terminator with the geomagnetic flux tubes as an indicator of enhanced scintillation occurrence and another based on the influence of a transequatorial thermospheric neutral wind have been postulated to describe the observed longitudinal variation.A distinct class of equatorial irregularities known as the bottomside sinusoidal (BSS) type has been identified. Unlike equatorial bubbles, these irregularities occur in very large patches, sometimes in excess of several thousand kilometers in the E-W direction and are associated with frequency spread on ionograms. Scintillations caused by such irregularities exist only in the VHF band, exhibit Fresnel oscillations in intensity spectra and are found to give rise to extremely long durations (~ several hours) of uninterrupted scintillations. These irregularities maximize during solstices, so that in the VHF range, scintillation morphology at an equatorial station is determined by considering occurrence characteristics of both bubble type and BSS type irregularities.The temporal structure of scintillations in relation to the in situ measurements of irregularity spatial structure within equatorial bubbles has been critically examined. A two-component irregularity spectrum with a shallow slope (p₁ ~ 1.5) at long scalelengths (> 1km) and steep slope (p₂ ~−3) at shorter scalelengths has been found in both vertical and horizontal spectra. Phase and intensity scintillation modelling was found to be consistent with this two-component irregularity spectrum.Finally, the information provided by the major experimental undertaking represented by Project Condor in the fields of night-time scintillations and zonal irregularity drifts with be briefly outlined.     

Modelling studies of the conjugate-hemisphere differences in ionospheric ionization at equatorial anomaly latitudes

The relative importance of the equatorial plasma fountain (caused by vertical E x B drift at the equator) and neutral winds in leading to the ionospheric variations at equatorial-anomaly latitudes, with particular emphasis on conjugate-hemisphere differences, is investigated using a plasmasphere model. Values of ionospherec electron content (IEC) and peak electron density (Nmax) computed at conjugate points in the magnetic latitude range 10–30° at longitude 158°W reproduce the observed seasonal, solar activity, and latitudinal variations of IEC and Nmax, including the conjugate-hemisphere differences. The model results show that the plasma fountain, in the absence of neutral winds, produces almost identical effects at conjugate points in all seasons; neutral winds cause conjugate-hemisphere differences by modulating the fountain and moving the ionospheres at the conjugate hemispheres to different altitudes.At equinox., the neutral winds, mainly the zonal wind, modulate the fountain to supply more ionization to the northern hemisphere during evening and night-time hours and, at the same time, cause smaller chemical loss in the southern hemisphere by raising the ionosphere. The gain of ionization through the reduction in chemical loss is greater than that supplied by the fountain and causes stronger premidnight enhancements. in IEC and Nmax (with delayed peaks) in the southern hemisphere at all latitudes (10–30°). The same mechanism, but with the hemispheres of more flux and less chemical loss interchanged, causes stronger daytime IEC in the northern hemisphere at all latitudes. At solstice, the neutral winds, mainly the meridional wind, modulate the fountain differently at different altitudes and latitudes with a general interhemispheric flow from the summer to the winter hemisphere at altitudes above the F-region peaks. The interhemispheric flow causes stronger premidnight enhancements in IEC and Nmax and stronger daytime Nmax in the winter hemisphere, especially at latitudes equatorward of the anomaly crest. The altitude and latitude distributions of the daytime plasma flows combined with the longer daytime period can cause stronger daytime IEC in the summer hemisphere at all latitudes.     

Doppler shift pulsations on whistler mode signals from a VLF transmitter

Whistler mode signals from the NAA transmitter (24 kHz) received at Faraday, Antarctica are processed to obtain the Doppler shift at a much higher time resolution than has previously been possible. This has allowed the observation of pulsations of about 13 mHz frequency which are believed to be associated with hydromagnetic waves in the magnetosphere. The pulsations are observed separately on signals with a number of discrete group delay features that can be interpreted as individual whistler ducts. Using the measured pulsation phase over the array of ducts the phase velocity and wave normal direction of the hydromagnetic wave in the equatorial plane are estimated. The direction of propagation is consistent with a source on the dayside magnetopause.The association between whistler mode Doppler shifts and hydromagnetic waves has been reported before but not, as far as we are aware, using an experimental technique that allows measurements on individual ducts in order to determine the direction of propagation of the hydromagnetic wave.     

A revised corrected geomagnetic coordinate system for Epochs 1985 and 1990

A new set of corrected geomagnetic coordinates (CGM) has been calculated from the magnetic field model DGRF for Epoch 1985 and the IGRF model for Epoch 1990. A new approach to determine the ‘dip’ magnetic equator has been developed, which is based on the vertical (along Re) projection on the Earth's surface of the B-minimum value point (apex) on each geomagnetic field line. A strip along the ‘dip’ magnetic equator line has been defined where the corrected geomagnetic coordinates could not be found by the definition of CGM. Linear interpolation between the locations of the two last definable CGM latitudes in both hemispheres has been used to calculate the CGM longitudes in the equatorial region. Interpolation between locations of the last definable CGM latitude and ‘dip’ equator in both hemispheres has been used to calculate the CGM latitudes in this region. The constant B-min geomagnetic coordinate system (CBM) is proposed and analysed to replace CGM in the equatorial region.     

Studies of ionospheric F-region irregularities from geomagnetic mid-latitude conjugate regions

Scintillation data from near Boston, U.S.A., and spread-F data from Argentine Islands, Antarctica are used to investigate the diurnal and seasonal variations of the simultaneous occurrence of medium-scale (~ 1–10 km) irregularities in the electron concentration in the F-region of the ionosphere at conjugate magnetic mid-latitude regions. It is found that these two stations near 52° CGL observe similar irregularity occurrence on ~75% of occasions at night when the data are considered on an hour by hour basis. During solstices, the relationship is dominated by occasions when irregularities are absent from both ends of the geomagnetic field lines; however, at equinoxes, periods of the simultaneous occurrence and non-occurrence of irregularities are approximately equally frequent. During periods of high geomagnetic activity, processes associated with the convection electric field and particle precipitation are likely to be important for the formation and transport of irregularities over these higher mid-latitude observatories. These processes are likely to occur simultaneously in conjugate regions. On days following geomagnetic activity, two processes may be operating that enhance the probability of the temperature-gradient instability, and hence lead to the formation of irregularities. These are the presence of stable auroral red arcs which occur simultaneously in conjugate locations, and the negative F-region storm effects whereby latitudinal plasma concentration gradients are increased; these effects are only similar in conjugate regions. During very quiet geomagnetic periods, F-region irregularities are occasionally observed, but seldom simultaneously at the two ends of the field lines. There is also an anomalous peak in the occurrence of irregularities over Argentine Islands associated with local sunrise in winter. No explanation is offered for these observations. Photo-electrons from the conjugate hemisphere appear to have no effect on irregularity occurrence.     

Post-sunset F-region vertical velocity variations at magnetic equator

The vertical drift velocity of the F-region in the post-sunset period at the magnetic equatorial station Trivandrum has been studied using a HF phase path sounder. The study revealed the presence of quasi-periodic fluctuations with periods in the range 4 30 min superposed on a steady vertical motion as a regular feature of the equatorial F-region in the post-sunset period. The fluctuations in the vertical velocity arc attributed to the east west electric field fluctuations generated by internal atmospheric gravity waves. The vertical velocity fluctuations can provide the necessary seed perturbations for the growth of equatorial spread-F irregularities.     

Very unusual low latitude whistlers with additional traces of the Earth-ionosphere waveguide propagation effect

The present paper reports very unusual whistlers strongly influenced by the Earth-ionosphere waveguide propagation after emerging from the ionosphere, as observed simultaneosly at our two stations, Sakushima (geomag. lat. 24°) and Kagoshima (20°). These unsual whistlers are characterized by clearly exhibiting additional dispersion effects near the cut-off frequencies of the 1st and 2nd order modes of waveguide propagation and, to our knowledge, they are a new finding. All the subionospheric dispersion is deduced to occur between the ionospheric exit point and the receiver. Detailed spectral analysis, after extracting the small waveguide dispersion effect from the overall spectrum by taking the beat with the appropriate pseudo-whistler, has enabled us to determine the propagation distance of the ionospheric exit region from each station. These distances have then been used to locate the ionospheric exit region, which is found to be about 3000 km east of the stations and in the local sunrise time sector. The generation mechanism of such unusual whistlers is discussed in terms of the joint influences of the ionospheric transmission mechanism (longitudinal gradient of the ionosphere, wave scattering by density irreglarities) and magnetospheric propagation and characteristics of ducts.     

Response of night-time equatorial F-region to magnetic disturbances

The response of the equatorial night-time F-region to magnetic stormtime disturbances has been examined using mainly ionograms recorded at Trivandrum and magnetograms recorded at high, middle and low latitudes during the magnetic storm of 23–26 November 1986. The analysis revealed a close coupling between the equatorial F-region and high latitude magnetic field disturbances originating in solar wind-magnetosphere interactions. The presence of spread-F on ionograms during this period is found to be consistent with the Rayleigh-Taylor instability mechanism for the growth of the irregularities.     

Satellite observations of signals from a Soviet mid-latitude VLF transmitter in the magnetic-conjugate region

The results of the Intercosmos-19 satellite experiment which receives VLF signals arriving via a magnetospheric path have been examined. The reception zone in the magnetically conjugate region (MCR) has been shown to be centred near the L-value (2.6) of the transmitter of 15 kHZ radio waves. The received signals arrive at the MCR with wave normal angles to the geomagnetic field, ψ, far from the resonance cone. These results indicate an effective amplification of the signal in the magnetosphere by 10–15 dB and effective ducting of VLF waves across the equatorial plane of the magnetosphere.     

Equatorial scintillations—a review

The scintillation technique, as is well known, provides an integrated measure of phase and amplitude fluctuations imposed on radio signals over a wide range of frequencies during their propagation through the ionosphere. The large amplitude of equatorial irregularities necessitates the use of frequencies in the GHz band to obtain unambiguously the temporal variation of irregularity intensity and the effect of irregularity anisotropy. Recent observations of equatorial scintillations will be reviewed with an emphasis on GHz measurements. The steep spatial gradients observed in in-situ data and their relationship to intense GHz scintillations will be explored. Co-ordinated measurements of equatorial irregularities by such techniques as radar backscatter, in-situ rocket and satellite, total electron content and 6300 Å airglow will be discussed, insofar as they provide a better understanding of the scintillation phenomena. While it is difficult to critically assess results that are so recent and constantly evolving, we have attempted to focus attention on the outstanding problems that still remain in the field.     

VLF transmissions observed at anomalously high latitude above the ionosphere in the conjugate hemisphere

Ariel 3 and 4 satellite observations of the GBR 16 kHz and NAA 17.8 kHz transmissions above the ionosphere in the conjugate hemisphere show that their wave-fields generally show a rapid reduction in signal strength for geomagnetic latitudes greater than 55°–60°. Sometimes, however, the signal strength has been observed to be high in the invariant latitude range > 60°. At certain times during these observations, the signal showed clear evidence of amplification, whilst at other times the pattern of signal strength was displaced to higher latitude with the signal strength integrated over latitude being unchanged from that normally observed.It is shown that the plasmapause can guide both the NAA and GBR signals but that the efficiency of this guiding depends on the plasmapause position. The important condition is found that the plasmapause must be situated sufficiently equatorwards that half the equatorial electron gyrofrequency at the plasmapause position is greater than (or approximately equal to) the transmitter signal frequency. Ray-tracing calculations in a realistic magnetosphere model indicate that for the 16 kHz GBR signal, the efficiency of guiding falls off for L_pp, (the L-value of the plasmapause) > 3.0 and guiding effectively ceases for L_pp > 3.5.Guidance by the plasmapause results in a wave-field at higher latitude than for non-guided propagation. This will only occur when, following geomagnetic storms, the plasmapause position is at a sufficiently low L-value. This is in agreement with the experimental observations of anomalously high latitude signal reception following strong magnetic storms (K_p ≥ 4+).