Nonlinear evolution of equatorial spread F. 2. Gravity wave seeding of Rayleigh-Taylor instability

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

55

Ionosphere: Equatorial Ionosphere, Ionosphere: Ionospheric Irregularities, Ionosphere: Plasma Waves And Instabilities

Scientific paper

We have performed numerical simulations of nonlinear evolution of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability in equatorial spread F (ESF) under different conditions. Our main purpose is to explain the generation of multiple plumes on the west wall of a plasma upwelling and the relationship between gravity waves and large scale ESF irregularities. We have studied ESF structures resulting from one-dimensional or two-dimensional initial density perturbations and initiated by gravity waves. It is found that although plasma bubbles may be produced in the all situations, the production of the plasma bubbles initiated by gravity waves takes a time much shorter than that resulting from two-dimensional initial density perturbations. This is in agreement with a simple analytic nonlinear theory. We put our emphasis on the ESF structures growing from two different scale perturbations. The Rayleigh-Taylor instability initiated by gravity waves produces a steep gradient on the west wall, which provides a favorable condition for excitation of smaller-scale secondary instabilities. When both a seed gravity wave and a smaller-scale initial density perturbation are used, it is observed that the large-scale gravity wave determines the outer scale of ESF irregularities by seeding the Rayleigh-Taylor instability and the smaller-scale perturbation results in multiple plumes preferentially located on the west wall. The production, rise, and bifurcation of plasma bubbles are reproduced in the simulations.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Nonlinear evolution of equatorial spread F. 2. Gravity wave seeding of Rayleigh-Taylor instability does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Nonlinear evolution of equatorial spread F. 2. Gravity wave seeding of Rayleigh-Taylor instability, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Nonlinear evolution of equatorial spread F. 2. Gravity wave seeding of Rayleigh-Taylor instability will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-971789

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.