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

• Published in: Annales Geophysicae
• Main Authors: K. Cierpka, M. J. Kosch, M. Rietveld, K. Schlegel, T. Hagfors
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Copernicus Publications 2000
• Subjects: Science; Q; Physics; QC1-999; Geophysics. Cosmic physics; QC801-809; EISCAT
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00585-000-1145-0; https://doaj.org/article/9f6b872755ec46f1a34a4109a6c79bf6

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)