Book Description
Ionospheric plasma density irregularities can be produced locally by chemical releases from space vehicles or remotely by a beam of high power radio waves transmitted from the ground. F-region plasma modification occurs by (1) chemically enhancing the electron number density, (2) chemically reducing the electron population, or (3) physically convecting the plasma from one region to another. The three processes (production, loss, and transport) can determine the effectiveness of ionospheric chemical releases and high frequency electromagnetic wave transmissions in subtle and surprising ways. Initially, a chemical release produces a localized change in plasma density and high power radio waves heat the electrons to yield enhanced transport from pressure gradients in the heated region. Subsequent processes, however, can lead to enhanced transport in chemically modified regions and modified reaction rates in the regions affected by high power radio waves.
