THEORY OF ELECTRIC CURRENTS IN IONOSPHERIC E-LAYERS

The magnetic disturbance associated with East-West current in the ionosphere is calculated in terms of the production and loss of ionisation. This is physically equivalent to a conventional equation of the type j = [σ]E, but may be preferred in many experimental circumstances. The relationship between the deformation of an ionospheric layer and the electric current, or magnetic disturbance in it, is explored in detail. Applications to mid-latitude sporadic-E, the equatorial electrojet, night-E, deformation of mid-latitude E-layer by quiet and disturbed currents and deformation of the E-layer by auroral electrojets are considered. Under a wide range of conditions, vertical backscatter devices can be used to find the altitude profile of the East-West component of ionospheric electric current by measuring the deformations of the vertical profiles of electron density. © 1969.