Generation of Electric Fields and Currents in the Earth's Ionosphere Within the Framework of the Planetary-Generator Model

Abstract

We present a solution for the problem of generation of electric fields and currents in the lower ionosphere of the Earth due to the nonuniform rotation of the magnetized planet and its plasma envelope with inhomogeneous conductivity (the planetary generator model). The angular velocity ω_p(r,Θ) and the conductivity profile σ(r) of the plasma envelope are specified taking into account the experimental data. It is shown that under these conditions, the current system of the planetary generator is a single current loop localized mainly in a narrow layer corresponding to the high-conductivity region at heights h₁∼100 km. The thickness of this layer is about the conductivity scale. Within the framework of this model, we estimate the total current circulating in the ionosphere and the current flowing in the planet and calculate the characteristic values of the electric fields generated. Comparison between the calculation results and the experimental data shows that the considered mechanism of current generation can be significant for analyzing current systems in the lower ionosphere of the Earth.