Spread-F theories - A review

Physics

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Equatorial Atmosphere, Ionospheric Disturbances, Ionospheric Drift, Magnetohydrodynamic Stability, Spread F, Atmospheric Models, Elementary Particle Interactions, Ionospheric Currents, Plasma Density, Plasma Drift, Taylor Instability

Scientific paper

A review is presented of the equatorial spread-F (ESF) theories which use plasma mechanisms as a basis, with attention given to linear and nonlinear theories. It was first suggested by Martyn (1959) that ESF was a manifestation of the E x B gradient drift instability. However, since most ESF phenomena could not be explained by the linear theory, several nonlinear theories have been proposed. Haerendel (1972, 1974) suggested that the range wavelengths observed during ESF were due to a hierarchy of multistep processes. Hudson et al. (1973) suggested that the smallest scale irregularities, i.e., those observed by coherent backscatter radar techniques, were due to a two step process. Simulation studies are also reviewed: Scannapieco and Ossakow (1976) performed the first numerical simulation of the long wavelength collisional Rayleigh-Taylor (R-T) instability mechanism in the nighttime equatorial F-region ionosphere, showing that the R-T instability generated irregularities and plasma bubbles on the bottomside of the nighttime F-region. The basic physical picture of the ESF is presented, and remaining problem areas are summarized.

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