Experimental Studies of the Effects Observed During the Nonlinear Interaction of Two High-Power Radio Waves in a Magnetoplasma

We present the results of experiments on modification of the ionospheric F region by two high-power (P_eff 20 MW) O-mode electromagnetic waves. The experiments were performed at the Sura heating facility of the Radiophysical Research Institute (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) in May 23–27, 1993 at the pump frequencies near the 4th, 5th, or 6th harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency. Ionospheric perturbations were diagnosed by measuring the stationary spectral characteristics of the stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE) of the ionospheric plasma. We determine the features of variation in the spectral characteristics of particular SEE components during the simultaneous heating of the ionospheric plasma by two radio waves in comparison with the case of a monochromatic pump wave. We observed the effect of enhanced generation of the broad up-shifted maximum (BUM) by the higher-frequency pump wave. This is accompanied by strong suppression of the BUM induced by the lower-frequency pump wave. It is shown that the effects observed during the two-frequency heating of the ionosphere have well pronounced gyroharmonic properties, i.e., depend on both the electron-gyroharmonic number and the frequency detuning of the pump waves from a harmonic of the electron gyrofrequency. We also pointed out that a change in the properties of artificial small-scale ionospheric irregularities (striations) excited by high-power radio waves is not the cause of a change in the properties of the down-shifted maximum and the BUM during the two-frequency modification of the ionospheric plasma. Ways for the further development of these studies are discussed.__________Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 110–133, February 2005.     

Peculiarities in the evolution of the BUM of stimulated radio emission of the ionosphere

We present measured spectral and dynamic characteristics of the broad upshifted maximum (BUM) in the spectrum of artificial ionospheric radio emission (AIRE). It is shown that BUM is already formed starting from pump-wave frequencies that are smaller by at least 10 kHz than the values of electron gyrofrequency harmonic nf_He determined by the disappearance of the principal downshifted maximum (DM) in AIRE spectrum. The characteristics of additional maxima in BUM spectrum, which are a multiple of its principal maximum, are studied. It is shown that the frequency of BUM intensity maximum does not depend on the pump-wave frequency and the characteristic times of its evolution increase sharply for f_PW close to nf_He. We discuss the possibility of existence of the fast and slow components in BUM spectrum, which have significantly different evolution times. Experimental results on BUM behavior for different regimes of ionosphere modification are presented.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 352–371, March, 1996.The authors thank the staff of the Sura heating facility for assistance in organizing and running the experiments. The Russian authors also thank the Russian Foundation for Fundamental Research (grants 94-02-03253a and 96-02-18659), Soros Foundation (grants R87000 and 020623), and Ministry of Science for financial support of this paper and the Sura heating facility.     

Results of the experimental study of narrow continuum features in stimulated ionospheric emission spectra

Spectral and dynamical characteristics of the narrow continuum feature observed in the stimulated ionospheric emission spectra for small detunings from the pumping wave frequency are presented. It is found that the generation of the narrow continuum in the initial stage of interaction of a strong high-frequency o-mode pumping wave with an F-region ionospheric plasma is determined by the parametric decay instability whereas the radiation observed in the stationary stage of artificial turbulence results from the thermal parametric instability. Generation models of narrow continumm in different stages of its evolution are discussed. Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala Division, Sweden. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 40, No. 9, pp. 1091–1112, September, 1997.     

Features of Excitation of Stimulated Electromagnetic Emission of the Ionosphere Modified by an Oblique High-Power Radio Wave

We present the results of measuring the characteristics of the stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE) of the ionosphere with variation in the zenith angle of a pump beam of high-power O-mode radio waves in the geomagnetic-meridian plane. The experiments were performed at the midlatitude heating facility “Sura.” It is established that the maximum intensity of the DM and BC components of SEE is observed for southward inclination angles θ ≈ 8°--12° of the antenna beam, for which the most intense generation of artificial small-scale ionospheric irregularities also takes place. Based on the results of measurements near the fourth and fifth harmonics of the electron gyrofrequency, it is found that the first component of the BUM (BUM-1) is generated only when the pump wave reaches the plasma-resonance region. This allows one to assume that, unlike the second component of the BUM (BUM-2), whose generation is determined by development of instability in the upper-hybrid resonance region, the BUM-1 generation mechanism should be related to processes of interaction between a high-power radio wave and the plasma in the plasma-resonance region. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 48, No. 9, pp. 743–756, September 2005.     

Results of investigation of the langmuir and upper-hybrid plasma turbulence evolution by means of stimulated ionospheric emission

The results of investigations of the temporal evolution of high-frequency plasma turbulence obtained by measurements of stimulated ionospheric emission (SIE) features for different stages of interaction of powerful radio emission, with an ionospheric F region plasma are presented. It is found that the relaxation time decreased up to 2–4 times with increase in the pump duration and pumping power under the conditions of striction parametric instability (excitation of Langmuir plasma turbulence) over times t≤2.00 ms. A similar decrease of the SIE relaxation time was also observed under the conditions of thermal parametric instability (excitation of upper-hybrid plasma turbulence) in long-term quasicontinuous heating of ionospheric plasma. The possible mechanisms of collisionless dissipation of plasma turbulence energy are discussed to explain the observed dependence of the plasma wave damping rate on the temperal stage of development and intensity of plasma turbulence. Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 41, No. 3, pp. 313–347, March, 1998.     

Review of features of stimulated electromagnetic emission (see): Recent results obtained at the “sura” heating facility

We present a short review of the features of the main components (DM, UM, NC, BC, BUM, and BUS) of stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE). We discuss variations of these components in the case where additional X-mode heating is used. The experiments were performed at the “Sura” heating facility (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia) during the last few years. Radiophysical Research Institute (NIRFI), Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 42, No. 7, pp. 635–640, July 1999.     

On the study of artificial ionospheric turbulence by means of stimulated electromagnetic emission

Results of measurements of the characteristics of stimulated electromagnetic emission induced in ionospheric plasma by pulsed high-power radio waves (diagnostic emission) presented. The dependences of the properties of diagnostic emission on the parameters of the diagnostic wave, ionospheric conditions, and the level of development of artificial ionospheric turbulence are determined, and criteria are given for selection of optimal diagnostic conditions for ionospheric-plasma sounding. Results of experiments on the sounding of artificial ionospheric turbulence by means of diagnostic emission are provided. It is established that with transition from daytime to evening conditions, the characteristic times of emission decay are sharply increased. This is attributed to an increase in the natural perturbation of the F-region.Scientific-Research Radio-Physics Institute, Nizhny Novgord. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 37, No. 7, pp. 909–928, July, 1994.     

Investigation of the dynamics of HF plasma turbulence by means of artificial ionospheric radio emission

The results of measurements of the growth and decay characteristics of artificial ionospheric radio emission and their dependence on the level of low-frequency artificial turbulence, time of day, and pump-wave frequency are presented. A time delay of the onset of the exponential nature of the decay process is detected, and its characteristics are studied. It is shown that the effect is determined by nonlinear pumping over the spectrum of high-frequency plasma turbulence. The experimental results demonstrate the possibilities of using artificial radio emission to study the properties of high-frequency plasma turbulence. Areas of future research are discussed.Scientific-Research Radio-Physics Institute. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 37, No. 6, pp. 763–782, June, 1994.     

Sounding of the ionosphere disturbed by the “Sura” heating facility radiation using signals of the GPS satellites

We present the results of experimental studies of the properties of the plasma-density disturbances created during heating of the ionospheric F₂ region by high-power HF radio waves radiated by the “Sura” heating facility (Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod). These experiments are specific in that they were performed in a sunlit (daytime) ionosphere when the generation of ionospheric turbulence has specific features and the turbulence intensity level is low enough. The plasma-density disturbances induced by high-power HF radio emission were sounded by signals of the GPS satellites, the line of sight to which crossed different parts of the disturbed ionosphere region. Threshold powers of the excitation of artificial plasma-density variations as well as spatial, temporal, spectral, and energy characteristics of the generated disturbances are determined.     

Artificial Periodic Inhomogeneities of the Ionosperic Plasma as a Promising Line in the Ionospheric Research

This paper is dedicated to a new method of ionospheric studies, developed at the Radiophysical Research Institute (NIRFI) and based on the creation of artificial periodic inhomogeneities (APIs) of the ionospheric plasma. We review the techniques and present the results of determination of the basic parameters of the ionosphere and atmosphere.     

Some results of measuring the characteristics of electromagnetic and plasma disturbances stimulated in the outer ionosphere by high-power high-frequency radio emission from the “Sura” facility

We present the results of measuring the characteristics of electromagnetic and plasma disturbances at altitudes of about 700 km, obtained by using the onboard equipment of the French microsatellite DEMETER during its passage through the magnetic tube resting upon the region of intense generation of artificial ionospheric turbulence created due to modification of the ionospheric F₂ region by high-power radio emission from the “Sura” facility. It is shown that an artificial density duct emerging from the disturbed region and extending to the Earth’s magnetosphere can be formed. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 50, No. 8, pp. 709–721, August 2007.     

Some results of synchronous experimental study of artificial F-spread at radiophysical test sites in nizhny novgorod province

We show some results of experiments on synchronous sounding of the ionosphere by short-wave signals at the Radiophysical Research Institute’s test site in Zimenki and Vasil’sursk, Nizhniy Novgorod province, during ionospheric modification by high-power short radiowaves from transmitters of the “Sura” facility in Vasil’sursk. In the course of experiments we proved directly the decisive role of large-scale inhomogeneities of the ionospheric plasma with dimensions of from several kilometers to several dozens of kilometers in the formation of artificial F- spread. The small-scale inhomogeneities with dimensions smaller than 1 km, which are localized in a relatively thin layer near the reflection level of a high-power short radiowave, emerged only at sounding waves, propagating (reflected) in the immediate vicinity of the center of the heating region. Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 40, No. 6, pp. 688–692, June, 1997.     

On specific features of diurnal variations in characteristics of the diagnostic stimulated electromagnetic emission and their relation to the evolution of artificial ionospheric irregularities

We analyze variations in characteristics of the diagnostic stimulated electromagnetic emission of the ionosphere in the evening hours including the times of sunset both on the Earth’s surface at the observation point and in the ionosphere over it. It is found that an increase in typical times of evolution of the diagnostic emission begins to be recorded just before the sunset on the Earth’s surface when the ionosphere is illuminated and its parameters are not significantly changed yet. We state that the typical times of evolution of the diagnostic emission increase when the pump-wave frequency approaches the critical frequency of the ionospheric F₂ layer, but such an effect is not as significant as when passing from the illuminated to the unilluminated ionosphere. It is established that at the stage of diagnostic sounding the pump-wave pulse power does not exert any notable influence on the first (fast) stage of relaxation of small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities, but can increase the decay time of the irregularities at the second (slow) stage of relaxation. Capabilities of the method for a study of artificial plasma turbulence using the diagnostic stimulated electromagnetic emission are discussed. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 51, No. 4, pp. 273–286, April 2008.     

Magnetic zenith effect in ionospheric modifications

The theory of ionospheric modification for the beam of powerful radio emission directed along magnetic field lines is developed. Nonlinear process of beam self-focusing on striations is shown to determine strong amplification of heating and acceleration of plasma electrons. It results in a dramatic enhancement of optic emission from the magnetic zenith region in ionospheric F-layer. An excellent agreement between the theory and recent fundamental observations at HAARP facility (Alaska) [T. Pedersen et al., Geophys. Res. Lett. (2002), in press] is demonstrated.     

Diagnostics of the HF-pumped ionospheric region using wide-band radio emission

We present the results of comprehensive studies of the spatio-temporal structure of the artificial ionospheric plasma turbulence created by powerful radio emission over the “Sura” heating facility. The elaborated methods of the transmitter-receiver operation control, wide-band signal recording, digital filtering and spectral analysis of the stimulated electromagnetic emissions and short radio pulses are used for diagnostics. Novel data are obtained on the evolution of the Langmuir and upper-hybrid turbulence spectrum, the altitude distribution of the plasma wave decay rates, and the amplitude-phase characteristics of the test signals under wide-band sounding of the ionospheric plasma. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 50, No. 8, pp. 649–668, August 2007.     

Gyroharmonic properties of the middle-scale artificial ionospheric turbulence during heating of the ionospheric F 2 layer by a high-power O-mode radio wave

We present the results of studying the properties of artificial F-spread that appears on ionograms during heating of the ionospheric F₂ region by a high-power O-mode radio wave. It is shown that the regions of resonant interaction of a high-power radio wave with plasma, where the pump-wave energy is almost totally absorbed and the plasma is subject to intense heating, affect significantly the development of a self-focusing instability of a high-power radio wave and the generation of middle-scale (with characteristic scales across the magnetic field l_⊥ ≈ 0.4–1.5 km) artifical ionospheric inhomogeneities. It is established that the intensity of such inhomogeneities depends on the sign and magnitude of detuning of the pump-wave frequency with respect to the electron gyroresonance harmonic frequency Δf = f_PW − nf_ce and has the minimum value for Δf ≈ −20 kHz, thus demonstrating the asymmetry of the gyroharmonic properties of their excitation mechanism. Relationship between the observed phenomena and known characteristics of the artificial ionospheric turbulence for f_PW ≈ nf_ce is analyzed. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 51, No. 5, pp. 367–375, May 2008.     

Vertical Velocities and Temperature of the Neutral Component in the Upper Atmosphere

Results of measurements of the velocity of the vertical plasma motion and the temperature of the neutral component in the upper atmosphere and comparison of variations in these parameters have been described. The measurements have been carried out by the resonance scattering of radio waves by artificial periodic irregularities in the ionospheric plasma. The irregularities arise when the ionosphere is modificated by a powerful high-frequency radio emission from a Sura midlatitude heating facility. Comparison has been conducted using experimental data on altitude- and time-dependent variations in the above parameters obtained in experiments of 2010 and 2014. It has been shown that, above 100 km, wavelike variations in temperature and velocity are commonly observed simultaneously. In the absence of wavelike variations, there is a tendency to an increase in temperature with an increase in the velocity of the vertical plasma motion regardless of direction. This tendency can be attributed to thermal flows directed upward from the turbulent region of the ionosphere.     

Studying the Features of Transport Processes in the Upper Ionosphere using HF-Induced Artificial Ionospheric Turbulence

We analyze measurements of the velocity at which the artificial plasma turbulence, induced in the regions of resonance interaction between a powerful wave and a plasma, spreads along the geomagnetic field. The experimental data were obtained in 1996–2000 during experiments at the Sura heating facility on HF modification of the ionospheric F region. The stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE) of the ionosphere was used for diagnosing the artificial plasma turbulence. The spread velocity was usually higher than the ion thermal velocity. In many cases, this velocity was close to and sometimes even much higher than the electron thermal velocity. We consider the dependence of the evolution features of the observed phenomena on the scheme of measurements (frequency and power of pumping and diagnostic waves, their timing, the distance between the levels of pumping- and diagnostic-wave reflection, etc.). A possible effect of the ionospheric D and E regions on the features of the observed phenomena is discussed. Based on the measurements performed, we formulate the requirements for future experiments.     

On the features of decameter radio astronomy

We consider some effects of the VHF radio wave propagation in randomly irregular plasma near the Earth. Applications of these effects to main problems of decameter radio astronomy are discussed. In particular, we show that significant measurement errors of about tens to hundreds of percent for the intensity of the VHF radio emission from an extra-terrestrial source may occur due to scattering and focusing/defocusing of the radiation in the ionosphere if VHF radio astronomical facilities operate at middle latitudes. We find that the angular resolution of discrete radio sources observed using radio interferometry and the well-known scintillation methods cannot be better than about a degree due to the effect of the developed ionospheric turbulence. We propose a modified scintillation method based on the spectral analysis of radio emission from discrete sources, which allows the useful high-frequency signal corresponding to diffraction of VHF emission at weak inhomogeneities of interplanetary plasma to be separated against strong, relatively low-frequency fluctuations of the received radiation due to the effect of the developed turbulent structure of the ionosphere. We show that such a method allows the angular resolution of extra-terrestrial radio sources to be improved up to arcsecond level. Radiophysical Research Institute, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Radiofizika, Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 95–105, February 2000.     

Excitation of an Additional Region of Short-Wavelength Plasma Oscillations in Ionospheric Heating Experiments

We discuss transfer of plasma waves, excited by a powerful radio wave due to its scattering on artificial ionospheric irregularities, into an additional region of very short plasma oscillations polarized almost perpendicular to the magnetic field. Such a region can exist in the magnetized ionospheric plasma due to the strong spatial dispersion. We take into account the plasma-wave diffusion over the spectrum caused by multiple scattering on irregularities, as well as the nonlinear process of plasma-wave interaction due to induced scattering by ions. The latter process leads to the transfer of primary plasma waves into the additional region. The induced scattering is considered in the differential approximation valid for sufficiently smooth plasma-wave spectra. The numerical calculations are performed for a Maxwellian plasma in which suprathermal electrons are absent. It is shown that in this case, the additional region of plasma waves is excited if the pump frequency is close to but slightly less than the fourth electron gyroharmonic, so that the absorption of primarily excited plasma waves becomes sufficiently strong. Application of our calculations to the results of ionospheric experiments is discussed.