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Ann. Geophys., 18, 1145-1153, 2000
www.ann-geophys.net/18/1145/2000/
© European Geosciences Union 2000

Ion-neutral coupling in the high-latitude F-layer from incoherent scatter and Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements

K. Cierpka, M. J. Kosch, M. Rietveld, K. Schlegel, and T. Hagfors
Max-Planck-Institut Aeronomie, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany

Abstract. Since the auroral ionosphere provides an important energy sink for the magnetosphere, ionosphere-thermosphere coupling must be investigated when considering the energy budget of the ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling. We present the first Scandinavian ground-based study of high-latitude F-region ion-neutral frictional heating where ion velocity and temperature are measured by the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar as well as neutral wind and temperature being measured simultaneously by a Fabry-Perot interferometer. A geomagnetically active period (K_p = 7^– – 5^–) and quiet period (K_p = 0⁺ – 0) were studied. Neglecting the neutral wind can result in errors of frictional heating estimates of 60% or more in the F-layer. About 96% of the local ion temperature enhancement over the neutral temperature is accounted for by ion-neutral frictional heating.

Key words: Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; ionosphere-atmosphere interactions)

Full Article (PDF, 573 KB)

Citation: Cierpka, K., Kosch, M. J., Rietveld, M., Schlegel, K., and Hagfors, T.: Ion-neutral coupling in the high-latitude F-layer from incoherent scatter and Fabry-Perot interferometer measurements, Ann. Geophys., 18, 1145-1153, 2000.   Bibtex   EndNote   Reference Manager