Generation of electric fields in the upper atmosphere

The generation of quasi-longitudinal electric waves in the mesosphere due to beam interactions between rising convective flows of a partially ionized air and charged aerosol particles of mesospheric clouds is studied. Analytical relations are obtained for the growth rate characterizing the rate of macroscopic charge separation for different values of parameters describing mesospheric clouds. Instability regions are found in which air ion diffusion enhances the instability. The case of high electric conductivity characteristic of the upper atmospheric layers is discussed. The wavelength and frequency of the wave generated are estimated. An increase in the amplitude of the electric field of the wave due to a development of beam instability can reach the break-down values of an electric discharge.