Density and temperature structure of helium ions in the topside polar ionosphere for subsonic outflows

Details Density and temperature structure of helium ions in the topside polar ionosphere for subsonic outflows Density and temperature structure of helium ions in the topside polar ionosphere for subsonic outflows

Aug 1980

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1980jgr....85.4177o&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, vol. 85, Aug. 1, 1980, p. 4177-4190.

Physics

3

Helium Ions, Ion Temperature, Ionospheric Ion Density, Polar Regions, Upper Ionosphere, Electron Energy, Heat Flux, Oxygen Ions, Plasma Density, Subsonic Flow, Vertical Distribution

Scientific paper

The densities and temperatures of helium ions in the daytime topside polar ionosphere are calculated for the case of subsonic He(+) outflows, which result in He(+) being a major ion or an important minor ion. Steady-state solutions of the coupled continuity, momentum and energy equations for He(+), O(+) and electrons are obtained, taking into account the effects of outflow velocity, perpendicular electric fields, electron temperature profiles and He(+) and O(+) heat fluxes at high altitudes. It is found that, for the cases of diffusive equilibrium or a moderate He(+) flow rate the absence of topside He(+) and O(+) heat fluxes results in closely coupled He(+) and O(+) temperatures at all altitudes, while a downward He(+) heat flux results in elevated He(+) temperatures at altitudes above 800 km. Thermal diffusion is found to be very important in the case of an He(+) heat flux, driving He(+) ions downward and O(+) ions upward. For greater He(+) outflow velocities, thermal diffusion is found to have a much smaller effect on He(+) and O(+) density profiles, and He(+)-O(+) frictional heating can raise the He(+) temperature above that of O(+). The main differences between a convecting and a nonconvecting ionosphere are found to stem from additional heating at low altitudes due to the frictional interaction of ions and neutrals. Finally, the electron temperature distribution is found to influence the O(+)/He(+) transition height and high-altitude O(+) and He(+) temperatures.

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