Disturbances of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere caused by acoustic-gravity wave sources in the lower atmosphere

The results of observations of acoustic-gravity waves in the troposphere and the ionosphere at middle latitudes during periods of passage of the solar terminator are presented. Tropospheric observations were performed using a lidar. The frequency characteristics of variations of the tropospheric parameters are determined based on observations of the intensity of the scattered lidar signal. The characteristics of variations of the total electron content (TEC) in the atmosphere are determined from data collected by GPS navigation satellites. An analysis of the observational data showed that the spectrum of variations of the atmospheric and ionospheric parameters is indicative of acoustic-gravity waves (AGW) propagating from the lower atmosphere. Modeling studies of the vertical propagation of AGW from the Earth’s surface showed that such waves quickly (within ~15 min) reach altitudes of the upper atmosphere (~300 km). The refraction and dissipation of waves in the upper atmosphere produces perturbations of the background state of the atmosphere and gives rise to the waveguide propagation of infrasonic wave components. The observed manifestations of TEC disturbances caused by AGW propagating from the lower atmosphere can be explained by the diurnal variation of the altitude of the ionosphere and the waveguide propagation of infrasonic waves.     

Study on generation mechanism of anomalous acoustic-gravity waves before the 2011 Beijing earthquake(M_L=3.0)

Observation results of abnormal acoustic-gravity waves before a Beijing earthquake(M_L=3.0) are presented.During this period,abnormalities of earth surface tilt variations were also recorded.The cross-correlations between the both values are high,which reach maximal values of 0.5 in the area close to the epicenter.The correlations decrease with increasing distances from the epicenter.It was proposed that generation of the anomalous waves may be associated with the pressure and wind perturbations in the air flow caused by slowly shaking mountains during slow surface motion preceding the earthquake in Beijing.Based on the wind velocity data taken from a 350 m meteorological tower in Beijing,the propagation of ducted acoustic-gravity waves in a two-layer model of the atmosphere was numerically simulated.It is shown that characteristic periods,amplitudes and velocities of the simulated phases which were assumed from non-stationary air flow relative to mountains are approximate to the observed phases.A consistency between the simulated results and observation data indicates that a slow surface motion may be a possible source of the anomalous acoustic-gravity waves observed prior to the earthquake.     

北京一次小震级地震前异常声-重力波产生机理的研究

观测到北京一次小震级地震(ML=3.0)前的异常声-重力波,并同时记录到异常地表倾斜信号。二者相关系数比较高,在接近震中的地区相关系数达到最大值0.5,相关系数随着远离震中的距离增大而减小。经过研究表明,异常声-重力波的产生与震前的地表缓慢活动引发的山体缓慢晃动导致的气流风速波动变化有关。基于350 m高的气象铁塔观测的风速数据,对两层大气模型传播的声-重力波进行了数值计算,得到的相对山体非平稳气流引起的声-重力波与观测信号在特征周期、幅度和速度三个参数上近似。以地表倾斜为例的模型与观测数据的一致性表明该震前声-重力波与地震存在关联性。      

Acoustic-gravity waves in the Earth’s atmosphere generated by surface sources

The generation of acoustic-gravity waves and their propagation in the Earth’s atmosphere is analyzed numerically on the basis of a computer model of the stratified atmosphere with dissipation. Atmospheric and ionospheric wavelike disturbances from different surface sources such as earthquakes, explosions, seiches, temperature heating, and tsunamis are studied.     

Frequency characteristics of the troposphere and ionosphere variations in periods of solar terminator passage

An analysis of the results of lidar observations in the lower atmosphere and observations of the total electron content in the ionosphere (TEC) in Kaliningrad (53°N, 22°E) during the period of solar terminator passage is presented. The observations at troposphere altitudes were performed with a two-wavelength atmospheric lidar (532 and 1064 nm). The ionospheric TEC was determined using signals from GLO-NASS navigation satellites. The observations in the lower atmosphere were performed in February and March 2012, starting ～1 h before sunrise and ending ～1–2 h after sunrise, whereas ionospheric observations were performed continuously throughout the day. Analysis of the spectrum of the observed parameters showed that, during solar terminator passage, the lower atmosphere and ionosphere parameters vary with periods of 4–6 min. Variations of the parameters in the atmosphere with these periods are associated with the propagation of acoustic-gravity waves (AGW). Analysis of the experimental results shows that AGW arise in the lower atmosphere and propagate vertically to ionospheric altitudes. It is assumed that AGW with these periods can be efficiently excited in the lower atmosphere and play an important role in the dynamic interactions between the lower and upper atmosphere.     

Acoustic-Gravity Waves in the Atmosphere with a Piecewise-Linear Temperature Profile

We consider the problem of propagation of acoustic-gravity waves in the atmosphere with a constant temperature gradient in the near-surface layer. The assumption of linear temperature dependence on height allowed us to reduce the wave equation to the hypergeometric form, regardless of the compressibility of the medium. The solution of this equation is represented in terms of degenerate hypergeometric functions. To analyze the obtained solution, we consider a two-layer model of a half-bounded atmosphere with a height-independent background temperature in the upper layer. The results are studied in detail under the approximation of an incompressible medium. For the model specified above, we find analytical expressions for the perturbation fields and obtain a characteristic equation whose solution allows us to calculate wave dispersion characteristics at frequencies close to the Brunt-Väisälä frequency for large horizontal scales as compared to the layer thickness.     

A study of propagation of nonlinear acoustic-gravity waves in the middle and upper atmosphere by means of numerical modeling

numerical model of the vertical propagation and decay of nonlinear acoustic-gravity waves (AGW) from the Earth surface to the upper atmosphere is described. Monochromatic vertical velocity variations at the Earth surface are used as the AGW source in the model. The numerical method for solving three-dimensional hydrodynamic equations is based on finite-difference representation of the fundamental laws of conservation, which makes it possible to calculate not only smooth, but also physically correct generalized solutions of the hydrodynamic equations. The equations are solved in a range of altitudes from the ground up to 500 km. The background temperature, density, molecular viscosity and thermal conductivity coefficient are specified according to standard atmosphere models. The dependence of the characteristics of the waves on the amplitude of the wave source at the lower boundary is examined. The amplitudes of the AGW increase with the altitude, and the waves can break down due to nonlinear effects in the middle and upper atmosphere, depending on the amplitude of the source.     

冲击射流激波振荡与抑制

欠膨胀冲击射流具有复杂的激波结构,并伴随产生高幅值的离散频率单音.通过高速摄像获取的纹影图像并结合噪声测量,对欠膨胀冲击射流激波振荡过程、剪切层不稳定波的模态和离散频率单音的产生进行了系列研究.给出了冲击距离为5倍喷嘴出口直径的复杂流动实验结果分析,射流剪切层不稳定波有对称和非对称两种模态,发现不同模态下的离散频率单音...     

MHD Wave Interaction within a Plasma Perturbed by Alfvén Waves

The interaction between fast magnetoacoustic waves within a plasma with periodical nonhomogeneities, perturbed by Alfvén waves has been studied. It has been ascertained the appearance of phenomena of a decay instability and an instability involving an increase of the amplitude oscillations. A study of the influence of perturbed plasma parameters on these instability phenomena has been made. It has been found that the optimal perturbing frequency for giving rise to the instability phenomenon is twice the frequency of fast magnetoacoustic waves.     

Acoustic-gravity waves in the earth’s atmosphere (review)

We present the modern theory of small-amplitude acoustic-gravity waves (AGWs) in the Earth’s atmosphere. Main attention is paid to the propagation and radiation of AGWs by different sources. We also consider problems of their dissipation, stability, and interaction with the ionospheric plasma. Basic methods of detecting the wave processes in the upper atmosphere in the AGW frequency range are briefly discussed. Experimental data on atmospheric inhomogeneities are compared with theoretical findings. Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 3–25, January, 1999.     

On the effect of temperature fluctuations on line intensities

We investigate the effects of temperature fluctuations in a stellar atmosphere on the intensities of the lines emitted by a multilevel atom, by differentiating the coupled set of radiative transfer and statistical equilibrium equations. We propose a numerical method for the fast computation of large sequences of line profiles when the atmospheric temperatures are fluctuating about a mean curve T(z) (oscillations, waves, turbulence, etc…). This method is applied to a three-level atom simulating the formation of Ca(II) lines in the solar atmosphere and the results are compared with those of direct computations. We show how the variations of atomic level populations, line source functions, and emergent intensities may be related to temperature variations by a sum of several terms corresponding to each atomic transition and arising from the variations of collisional excitation rates. Finally, we discuss the possibility of extending the method to compute profile variations when temperatures, densities and velocities are changing simultaneously within the atmosphere.     

On hydrodynamic instability of the ozone layer

We show that instability may be arisen when the large-scale waves propagate in the ozone layer of Earth's atmosphere. The instability criterion suitable both for the acoustic waves and for the Rossby waves is found. Moreover, the possibility of the spatially located dissipative Rossby vortical structures formation in this layer is established.     

MHD waves and instabilities in flowing solar flux-tube plasmas in the framework of Hall magnetohydrodynamics

It is well established now that the solar atmosphere, from photosphere to the corona and the solar wind is a highly structured medium. Satellite observations have confirmed the presence of steady flows. Here, we investigate the parallel propagation of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) surface waves travelling along an ideal incompressible flowing plasma slab surrounded by flowing plasma environment in the framework of the Hall magnetohydrodynamics. The propagation properties of the waves are studied in a reference frame moving with the mass flow outside the slab. In general, flows change the waves’ phase velocities compared to their magnitudes in a static MHD plasma slab and the Hall effect limits the range of waves’ propagation. On the other hand, when the relative Alfvénic Mach number is negative, the flow extends the waves propagation range beyond that limit (owing to the Hall effect) and can cause the triggering of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability whose onset begins at specific critical wave numbers. It turns out that the interval of Alfvénic Mach numbers for which the surface modes are unstable critically depends on the ratio between mass densities outside and inside the flux tube.     

On small-scale plasma inhomogeneities of the traveling ionospheric disturbances

We report on the results of the first special experiment on radio sounding of the midlatitude ionosphere by signals from in-orbit satellites at a frequency of 150 MHz under quiet geophysical conditions. Along with the conventional correlation processing, fractal processing of the received signals was also performed. Using the fractal approach, we obtained first data on the sources and generation mechanisms of small-scale plasma inhomogeneities of the traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) in the upper ionosphere. It is noted that the phenomenon of nonlinear “ breaking” of the acoustic-gravity waves entering the ionosphere from the underlying atmosphere plays the crucial role in the formation of plasma inhomogeneities of the TIDs. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 49, No. 7, pp. 561–569, July 2006.     

EIT waves and coronal magnetic field diagnostics

Magnetic field in the solar lower atmosphere can be measured by the use of the Zeeman and Hanle effects. By contrast, the coronal magnetic field well above the solar surface, which directly controls various eruptive phenomena, can not be precisely measured with the traditional techniques. Several attempts are being made to probe the coronal magnetic field, such as force-free extrapolation based on the photospheric magnetograms, gyroresonance radio emissions, and coronal seismology based on MHD waves in the corona. Compared to the waves trapped in the localized coronal loops, EIT waves are the only global-scale wave phenomenon, and thus are the ideal tool for the coronal global seismology. In this paper, we review the observations and modelings of EIT waves, and illustrate how they can be applied to probe the global magnetic field in the corona.     

Responses of the Ionosphere to the Great Sumatra Earthquake and Volcanic Eruption of Pinatubo

A sudden ionospheric disturbance was detected by the Doppler shift sounding equipment at Beijing, about 25 min later after the outbreak of the Sumatra earthquake on 26 December 2004. This ionospheric disturbance appeared less than lOmin after the earthquake was first recorded at Beijing seismological station by the arrival of the seismic Rayleigh wave. The analysis shows that about 18rain is the time necessary for the seismic Rayleigh wave to propagate from the epicentre to Beijing and then about 5-10min for acoustic waves to propagate from the surface of the Beijing area to the altitude of the ionosphere. Also, a report was made as another example to show the ionospheric response of Doppler shift observation at Beijing area during the Mount Pinatubo eruption of 1991. These two examples show clear evidence of the lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling. The former case is in the frequency domain of infrasonic waves of the Earth surface oscillation due to the Rayleigh waves caused by the earthquake, while the latter is in the acoustic-gravity wave category directly excited in the atmosphere by the mass and energy eruptions of Mount Pinatubo.     

Bose-Einstein Condensates in Optical Lattices with Higher-Order Interactions

The higher-order interactions of Bose-Einstein condensate in multi-dimensional optical lattices are discussed both analytically and numerically.It is demonstrated that the effects of the higher-order atomic interactions on the sound speed and the stabilities of Bloch waves strongly depend on the lattice strength.In the presence of higher-order effects,tighter and high-dimensional lattices are confirmed to be two positive factors for maintaining the system's energetic stability,and the dynamical instability of Bloch waves can take place simultaneously with the energetic instability.In addition,we find that the higher-order interactions exhibit a long-range behavior and the long-lived coherent Bloch oscillations in a tilted optical lattice exist.Our results provide an effective way to probe the higher-order interactions in optical lattices.     

Transformation of acoustic waves in upper atmosphere

The transformation of acoustic waves into electromagnetic oscillations in the plasma of the upper atmosphere is analyzed. It is demonstrated that acoustic oscillations in ionosphere in the presence of the gradients of gas temperature and electron concentration lead to plasma vortices that provide the generation of electromagnetic waves.     

Generation of Extra-Ordinary Mode Radiation by an Electrostatic Pump in a Two-Electron-Temperature Plasma

Coherent wave-wave coupling can produce radiation with a high efficiency. Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in the study of electro-magnetic wave generation in magnetized plasmas. We have investigated theoretically the effect of finite ion temperature on the parametric instability of an electro-static upperhybrid pump into an X-mode nonthermal radiation and low frequency ion waves in a two electron temperature plasma. The latter may include the lower-hybrid, the electron-acoustic and the ion-cyclotron waves. The loss cone distribution existing permanently at low altitudes acts as a free energy source generating the upper-hybrid waves. The upper-hybrid waves can also be present because of a linear instability produced by runaway electrons. Nonlinear dispersion relation and the growth rates are derived for each case using the hydrodynamical model. We find extra numerical factor arising due to the ions of finite temperature in the growth rate expression. This study may be useful in magnetosphere, auroral ionosphere, solar wind, solar radio bursts, and laboratory plasmas where ion has finite temperature and electrons have two distinct energy distributions.     

Full-trajectory diagnosis of laser-driven radiative blast waves in search of thermal plasma instabilities

Experimental investigations into the dynamics of cylindrical, laser-driven, high-Mach-number shocks are used to study the thermal cooling instability predicted to occur in astrophysical radiative blast waves. A streaked Schlieren technique measures the full blast-wave trajectory on a single-shot basis, which is key for observing shock velocity oscillations. Electron density profiles and deceleration parameters associated with radiative blast waves were recorded, enabling the calculation of important blast-wave parameters including the fraction of radiated energy, epsilon, as a function of time for comparison with radiation-hydrodynamics simulations.