RELAXATION OF TRANSIENT IONIZATION IN THE LOWER IONOSPHERE

This paper presents a set of basic expressions and parameters to descr ibe the relaxation of ionization in the upper atmosphere and lower ion osphere. Both spatial (diffusion) and chemical loss are included, alon g with the varying electrical conductivity caused by changing electron density and temperature. In particular, reasonable values for the att achment rates and recombination coefficients at these high altitudes a re discussed. Example calculations are given involving studies into re d sprites. However, the modeling and parameters are not restricted to these events, and might well be useful in a number of other modeling p roblems.