Investigation into the photon interaction of small mesospheric dust and its impact on the ionospheric charge balance
Permanent lenke
https://hdl.handle.net/10037/34024Dato
2024-05-31Type
MastergradsoppgaveMaster thesis
Forfatter
Nerland, Isabel Maria SundströmSammendrag
This thesis investigates the charging mechanisms of nano-sized meteoric
smoke particles (MSP) in the mesosphere, with a particular focus on the
photoionization and photodetachment processes on MSP assuming different
materials. The study begins with three theoretical chapters that lay the ground-
work for understanding relevant topics like the atmospheric region in question,
MSP, the solar spectrum, light scattering, Mie theory, and charging processes
of MSP. Subsequently, computational simulations are made to explore how
photoionization and photodetachment is affected by different parameters like
MSP material properties and solar irradiation and how photoionization and
photodetachment affect the charge states of MSP by varying MSP material
and ionospheric properties.
The model calculations carried out in this thesis indicate that while photoion-
ization and photodetachment do impact MSP charge states, their effect may
not be as significant as previously thought. The models suggest that a fraction
of sub-nanometer sized MSP between 15 and 40% can remain negatively
charged, and that larger MSP with 𝑟 > 1 nm have a chance of being positively
charged. Material properties like refractive index and work function play a
crucial role in affecting the photoionization of MSP, which subsequently affect
the charge state of MSP, underscoring the need for more experimental data
on the optical properties of possible MSP materials.
Forlag
UiT Norges arktiske universitetUiT The Arctic University of Norway
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