A theoretical model of D-region ion chemistry modifications during high power radio wave heating

Abstract

A simplified D-region ion chemistry scheme is combined with plausible models for the electron temperature dependence of electron attachment and ion-electron recombination processes in order to study plasma density modifications induced by continuous high power radio wave heating. Enhancement of the electron temperature in the D-region by radio wave heating causes increased electron attachment and decreased recombination. The increase in attachment produces a rapid decrease in electron density while enlarging the negative ion concentration on a time scale of several seconds or less. On the other hand decreased recombination leads to increases in the positive ion and electron densities on a time scale of several minutes to an hour. These two effects compete to determine the electron density distribution in the D-region during radio wave heating.