Nonmigrating tidal signature in the distributions of equatorial plasma bubbles and prereversal enhancement

Some wave‐like features in the longitudinal distribution of equatorial plasma bubbles understood in association with diurnal eastward propagating zonal wave number 3 nonmigrating tide (DE3) in the dayside. However, whether or not the wave features are the daytime DE3 signature has not yet been rigorously investigated. This study investigates (1) the existence of the DE3 signature in the longitudinal distribution of bubbles by analyzing the first Republic of China (ROCSAT‐1) satellite data acquired in 2000–2002 and (2) the role of daytime DE3 in the creation of bubbles by examining the linear growth rate of the generalized Rayleigh‐Taylor (R‐T) instability. The linear growth rate is derived from the “Sami2 is Another Model of the Ionosphere” model simulation results. In the longitudinal distribution of bubbles derived from ROCSAT‐1 observations, the wave number 4 component, the representative characteristic of DE3, is a weak feature. In addition, the amplitude and phase of the wave number 4 component do not show a consistent behavior in comparison with those of DE3. Our numerical calculation results show that the linear growth rate of the R‐T instability is not sensitive to the variation of the daytime vertical plasma drift. These results indicate that the DE3 signature in the occurrence rate of bubbles is not obvious and the effect of daytime DE3 on the creation of bubbles is negligible. Key Points DE3 tide characteristics are not obvious in equatorial bubble distribution Growth of Rayleigh‐Taylor instability is unaffected by daytime vertical drift The effect of daytime DE3 on the creation of bubbles is negligible