Atomic Oxygen in the Ionospheric E Layer

The diagnostics of nonequilibrium two-temperature plasma parameters in the D and E layers of the lower ionosphere are required to improve the operation of satellite navigation systems, flight tests with the use of gas-discharge devices, and remote sensing of the Earth’s surface. Together with the main neutral atmospheric molecules of nitrogen and oxygen, excited states of oxygen atoms play an important role in the exchange reactions. This work is devoted to calculating the concentration of atomic oxygen generated during photodissociation in the E layer of the Earth’s ionosphere (at altitudes from 90 to 105 km). The calculation results are in a good agreement with the existing experimental and theoretical data. The role of direct dissociation of oxygen molecules under the action of fast electrons is discussed; it is shown that the process is not dominant.