CEDAR
Coupling, Energetics and Dynamics of Atmospheric Regions Program
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Conditions for the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability in the polar ionosphere

Andreas Kvammen, Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Andres Spicher, Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Matthew Zettergren, Department of Physical Sciences and Center for Space and Atmospheric Research (CSAR), Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
Devin Huyghebaert, Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Theresa Rexer, Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Björn Gustavsson, Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Juha Viterinen, Department of Physics and Technology, UIT the Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
First Author's Affiliation
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
Abstract text:

The polar ionosphere is highly structured with density irregularities observed at a wide range of scale sizes: small scale (< 1 km), meso-scale (1–100 km) and large scale (> 100 km). Plasma irregularities are of interest since they may disturb Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals and disrupt High Frequency (HF) communication. Still, the conditions for the formation, the energy cascading from large to small scales and the non-linear evolution of plasma instabilities that cause irregularities in the polar ionosphere are largely unknown. This poster focuses on one of the most commonly invoked instabilities at high latitudes: the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability can be excited when there exists a shear in the flow velocity. At polar latitudes, flow shears are often observed in relation to auroral arcs, flow channels and reverse flow events. In this work, we use the 3D Geospace Environment Model of Ion-Neutral Interactions (GEMINI) to simulate the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability under various ionospheric conditions. This allows us to characterize the conditions favorable for Kelvin-Helmholtz instability growth. The presented results can be used as a reference to better understand observations of density irregularities under turbulent conditions at high latitudes.

Non-Student
Poster category
IRRI - Irregularities of Ionosphere or Atmosphere
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