Abstract Diffusion equations determining ion diffusion velocities along magnetic field lines in the multicomponent ionosphere and plasmasphere composed of ions, electrons, and neutral species are derived from Grad’s 13-moment equations for average species velocities and heat flows. The general expressions for thermal diffusion and diffusion correction factors of an ion are simplified for the following cases of a multicomponent partially ionized plasma: (1) a major ion, a minor ion, electrons, and neutral species; (2) three major O+, H+, and He+ ions, electrons, and neutral species; (3) two major O+ and H+ ions, a minor ion, electrons, and neutral species. The ion thermal diffusion and diffusion correction factors calculated for O+, H+, and He+ ions of a fully ionized plasma are approximated by the analytical formulas as functions of [O+]/[H+] while changing the ratio of [He+] to ([O+]+[H+]+[He+]) between 0.01 and 0.9. A fully ionized plasma composed of two major ion species, O+ and H+, electrons, and a minor ion component, x, where x stands for NO+, , N+, O++, N++, Fe+, Mg+, Na+, Ca+, Al+, and Si+ is considered to calculate the thermal diffusion and diffusion correction factors of each minor ion. Analytical approximating relationships of these thermal diffusion and diffusion correction factors with the [O+]/[H+] ratio are presented for use in ionospheric models.
Diffusion correction and thermal diffusion factors of ions in the ionosphere and plasmasphere
Advances in Space Research ; 47 , 11 ; 1965-1978
2011-01-27
14 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Diffusion correction and thermal diffusion factors of ions in the ionosphere and plasmasphere
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