Theory and Numerical Modeling of Under-Dense Heating With Powerful X-Mode Pump Waves

Based on the mechanisms of both electron cooling and heating in the ionosphere, a theoretical simulation model of under‐dense heating by X‐mode waves is constructed. And this model is verified by simulating the known experimental results. Using this model, we analyze the influences of heating parameters and the ambient ionosphere on the heating effects. The results show that in the under‐dense heating ionosphere by powerful X‐mode wave, the heating effects are enhanced when the effective radiated power (ERP) increases, and weakened as the heating frequency increases. The lower the electron temperature and the smaller the density, the stronger the heating effects are. Finally, some applications of under‐dense heating by X‐mode waves are analyzed.