On magnetized Rossby wave dynamics in the earth's ionosphere

TL;DR

This paper investigates the nonlinear propagation of magnetized Rossby waves in Earth's ionosphere using a shallow water model, revealing the effects of conductivities and introducing new nonlinearities relevant for ionospheric plasma dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a new nonlinear model for Rossby wave propagation in the ionosphere, explicitly analyzing the roles of Hall and Pedersen conductivities and revealing novel nonlinearities.

Findings

Potential vorticity conserved in D- and E-layers but broken in F-layer by Pedersen conductivity.

Two new scalar nonlinearities due to Pedersen conductivity identified in the F-layer.

Results extend theoretical understanding of nonlinear Rossby wave dynamics in weakly ionized plasma.

Abstract

In the frame of shallow water model the influence of free surface action on nonlinear propagation of planetary ULF magnetized Rossby waves in the weakly ionized ionospheric D-, E-, and F-layers is revealed. Relevant nonlinear dynamic equations satisfying several conservation laws are obtained and investigated. The role of Hall and Pedersen conductivities is investigated explicitly. It is shown that while potential vorticity is conserved in the ionospheric D-,and E-layer it is broken by Pedersen conductivity in the ionospheric F-layer. Similar to KdV nonlinearity two new scalar nonlinearities due to Pedersen conductivity are revealed in the F-layer. Obtained results extend and complement known theoretical investigations and are especially relevant for nonlinear vortical propagation of magnetized Rossby waves in the weakly ionized ionospheric plasma.