Features of the Ionospheric Artificial Airglow Caused by Ohmic Heating and Plasma Turbulence-Accelerated Electrons Induced by HF Pumping of the Sura Heating Facility

Abstract

We present the results of studying the ionospheric F₂ region airglow in the atomic-oxygen red line (λ = 6300Ǻ) when the ionosphere is pumped by high-power HF radio waves. Either thermal modulation of the background airglow brightness or, simultaneously with it, the red-line intensity enhancement were observed, depending on the ionospheric and plasma-wave parameters. Analysis of the red-line emission behavior makes it possible to separate the influence of the ohmic heating and acceleration of electrons by plasma turbulence on the airglow features.