Numerical model for zonal flow generation by magnetized Rossby waves in the ionosphere with the background shear flow

Abstract

A theoretical-numerical description of zonal flow generation in the turbulent ionosphere by controlled inhomogeneous background wind is given. The generalized Charney–Obukhov equation, which describes the nonlinear interaction of five different-scale modes (primary modes, relatively short-wave ultra-low frequency (ULF) magnetized Rossby waves (MRWs) (pumping waves), two satellites of these MRWs, long-wave zonal mode, and large-scale background shear flows (inhomogeneous wind)) is used. New features of energy transfer from relatively small-scale waves and the background shear flow into that of largescale zonal flows and nonlinear self-organization of the five-wave collective activity in the ionospheric medium are identified based on the numerical solution of the corresponding system of equations for perturbation amplitudes (generalized eigenvalue problems). It is shown that if there is the background shear flow with a moderate amplitude growth the modulation instability increment and intensifies the zonal flow generation, while a very strong shear flow significantly reduces the modulation instability increment and can even suppress the generation process.