Microwave and IR radiation of the upper atmosphere during periods of enhanced solar activity

摘要

A two-temperature nonequilibrium plasma in the E and D atmospheric layers at heights between 50 and 110 km during periods of enhanced solar activity is formed. The highly excited states (Rydberg states) of the A**N_2 and A**O_2 quasi-molecules are populated due to interaction with the neutral medium in the plasma. This results in propagation delays of the signals of global navigation satellite systems and in enhanced positioning uncertainties. Radiation transitions between the Rydberg states of the quasi-molecules lead to the appearance of super-background noncoherent radiation in the decimeter and infrared ranges. The decimeter radiation degrades the signal-to-noise ratio of navigation systems. The super-background infrared radiation can be used to make the tomography of the excited layer and to detect the Rydberg states.