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Ann. Geophys., 19, 11-15, 2001
www.ann-geophys.net/19/11/2001/
© European Geosciences Union 2001

Observation of isotropic electron temperature in the turbulent E region

S. Saito, S. C. Buchert, S. Nozawa, and R. Fujii
Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, 464–8601, Japan
Correspondence to: S. Saito (susaito@stelab.nagoya-u.ac.jp)

Abstract. Using EISCAT radar data, we find that electrons are strongly heated in the magnetic field-line direction during high electric field events. The remote site data show that the electron temperature increases in almost the same way in the field-perpendicular direction; electron heating by E region plasma turbulence is isotropic. We discuss the implications of our observation for the "plasmon"-electron as well as the wave Joule heating models of the anomalous electron heating in the E region.

Key words. Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; plasma temperature and density; plasma waves and instabilities)

Full Article (PDF, 305 KB)

Citation: Saito, S., Buchert, S. C., Nozawa, S., and Fujii, R.: Observation of isotropic electron temperature in the turbulent E region, Ann. Geophys., 19, 11-15, 2001.   Bibtex   EndNote   Reference Manager