SMALL-SCALE PLASMA IRREGULARITIES PRODUCED DURING ELECTRON-ATTACHMENTCHEMICAL RELEASES

In situ measurements of small-scale plasma density irregularities made during sounding rocket experiments that released electron attachment materials into the ionosphere are presented. A 2D electrostatic simula tion model that includes attachment chemistry is used to study the sou rce and evolution of these irregularities. The simulation shows (1) th at large electron flow velocity shears develop on the boundary of the electron depletion and (2) these shears drive a plasma instability tha t is the likely source of the irregularities.