Ionosphere layer and photochemistry

PowerPoint Presentation

Ionospheric Layers&PhotochemistryD Layer

The electron density in the D-layer normally does not have a distinct peak.The ion production and the recombination processes are highly complicated between 50-95 km. The Hydrogen Lyman alpha line at 121.5 nm is a very strong spectral line which penetrates down into the D-Layer.This has enough energy to ionize NO, which is found in very small amounts.This production generally dominates from about 70-95 km.The solar Flares can be a significant source for the D-layer.The recombination processes are both height and temperature dependent.

Negative IonsIn the lower part of the ionosphere, the electrons are removed from the atmosphere by a rapid reaction which will produce the negative ions.The reaction is as follows e+O2+M O2- + MThe electrons present in the atmosphere will attach themselves to the O2 molecule to produce the negative ions. This happens in the presence of a third body here indicated as M. Detachment Reaction