Parameters of Atmospheric Turbulence and the Dynamics of the Lower Ionosphere in Studies at the SURA Facility

The results are presented for studies of turbulent phenomena as a component of the lower ionospheric dynamics based on measurement of the characteristics of signals scattered by artificial periodic irregularities of ionospheric plasma. The experiments were carried out at the SURA heating facility (56.15° N; 46.11° E) in 2015–2019. The method is based on perturbance of the ionosphere with a powerful high-frequency radio emission and the creation of periodic plasma irregularities in the field of a standing wave, which forms upon the reflection from the ionosphere of a powerful radio wave radiated to the zenith; the irregularities are located with probe radio waves. New data on variations in the parameters of the lower ionosphere are obtained. The altitude profiles and time dependences of the velocity of turbulent and regular vertical motion of the medium, the temperature of the neutral component, and variations in the turbopause level are discussed. It is shown that turbulent motions, along with regular vertical transport, make a large contribution to the dynamics of the lower ionosphere. The velocity of the turbulent motion of the medium, at several m/s, is comparable in magnitude with the velocity of the regular vertical motion of the plasma and the neutral component. The turbopause level in the altitude interval 88–110 km is subjected to both fast and slow changes. The wave character of the turbopause level has been revealed.