Search for a thickness parameter for the bottomside ionospheric F-region from incoherent-scatter electron-density profiles

Abstract

Electron density-height profiles from the Arecibo incoherent scatter radar have been analysed for the period August 1974 to May 1977, to look for a thickness parameter for the bottomside F-region of the ionosphere. These profiles were obtained using short pulse lengths of 24 μs resulting in high altitude resolution. In the analysis, Gulyaeva's empirical relationship that an electron density of 0.5 NmF occurs at the height of 0.8 hmF2 is tested. Arecibo profiles indicate this electron density arises close to (0.84+0.02) hmF2 for most of the cases. However, there are some instances where large departures occur.