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Ann. Geophys., 16, 1343-1354, 1998
www.ann-geophys.net/16/1343/1998/
© European Geosciences Union 1998
Ionospheric response to variable electric fields in small-scale auroral structures
B. S. Lanchester1, M. H. Rees1, K. J. F. Sedgemore1, J. R. Palmer1, H. U. Frey2,*, and K. U. Kaila3
1Department of Physics, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
Fax: +44 1703 593910; e-mail: bsl@phys.soton.ac.uk
2Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestische Physik, D-85740 Garching, Germany
3Department of Physics, University of Oulu, FIN-90570 Oulu, Finland
*Present address: Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley
Abstract. High time and space resolution optical and
radar measurements have revealed the influence of electric fields on E-region
electron density profiles in small-scale auroral structures. Large electric
fields are present adjacent to auroral filaments produced by monoenergetic
electron fluxes. The ionisation profiles measured within and beside the auroral
filaments show the effects of plasma convection due to electric fields as well
as the consequences of the response time to large and dynamic fluxes of
energetic electrons. Without high-resolution optical measurements, the
interpretation of the radar data is limited.
Key words. Auroral ionosphere ·
Ionosphere-magnetosphere interactions · EISCAT
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