The ponderomotive action of a powerful electromagnetic wave on ionospheric plasma

The ponderomotive force,acting on the electrons in a cold magnetized ionospheric plasma is discussed. This force is the result not only of the change in the wave energy density but also its energy flux, momentum density and angular momentum density. The response of the plasma it:) this ponderomotive force is also discussed, It is shown that the component of the force along the geomagnetic field excites an electric field, but does not cause motion of the plasma, A transverse electric current also appears, On the other hand, the component of the ponderomotive force perpendicular to the magnetic field generates an the electric field and transverse plasma motion, but these values are small as the ratio of the Hall plasma conductivity to the longitudinal one, The calculated transverse electric field and plasma motion are compared with the observed field in in situ measurements from a sounding rocket and with the motion of the airglow clouds during HF pumping at Arecibo. An estimate for the turbulent energy density is provided. Also it is suggested to use for ionospheric experiments an electromagnetic beam with a spiral wave front, which increases the electric currents in the region of the wave reflection. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.