Plasma parameter determination in D and E layers of ionosphere using data of far IR radiation spectrum

In the result of numerous surface, atmospheric and satellite observations an intensive infrared (IR) radiation in the range from 15 to 50 μm has been detected. It is supposed that the Rydberg complexes at the altitudes 80-120 km over the Earth`s surface, which include the D and E layers of the lower ionosphere, are assumed to be the source of this radiation. It is related to the fact that the heat IR radiation from the Earth`s surface is completely absorbed in the lower atmosphere up to the level of 45 km. It is directly confirmed by the balloon measurements which were carried out up to the level of 60 km over the Earth`s surface. Additionally, this method allows measuring IR radiation coming from above. For monitoring of plasma parameters of E and D atmosphere layers, the most perspective is method of their recovery by the use of inverse problem solution on the spectrum of far IR radiation (based on the balloon and direct measurements received from the low-orbital satellites). For the satellite it is imposing certain restrictions to the characteristics of the IR sensors which simultaneously with high resolution must be characterized by small weight and size. Besides this, the satellites should be designed with the requirements of their reliability in both normal and cryogenic conditions as well as must be vibration resistant when launching satellite into orbit. The inverse problem solution and monitoring of the plasma parameters must be based on the theory of far IR radiation for D and E layers of the lower ionosphere.

This work was carried out in the framework of State Assignment of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (project 0082–2019–0017, registration code АААА–А19–119010990034–5).