The Atmosphere and Ionosphere (eBook)

Vladimir L. Bychkov is a leading researcher at the Department of Physics at the Lomonosov Moscow State University. He has 35 years of experience in plasma physics studies, namely, the physics of elementary processes, gas discharges, plasma chemistry and ball lightning. He is Head of the Russian Committee on Ball Lightning and Vice-President of the International Committee on Ball Lightning. Gennady V. Golubkov is a leading scientist at the Semenov Institute of Chemical Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He has 40 years of experience in quantum scattering theory, the theory of atom-molecular processes, chemical physics of atmosphere and of low temperature plasma. He is a member of the Moscow Physical Society, the New York Academy of Sciences and the International Committee on Theoretical Chemistry. Anatoly I. Nikitin is a principle researcher at the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Energy Problems of Chemical Physics in Moscow. He has 45 years of experience in quantum electronics research, chemical physics, plasma physics, plasma chemistry and ball lightning. He is Secretary of the International Committee on Ball Lightning and a member of the Moscow Physical Society.

Abstract 6
About Editors 8
Introduction 10
Contents 14
Contributors 16
Chapter 1: Rydberg States of Atoms and Molecules in a Field of Neutral Particles 18
Introduction 20
Spectral Structure of the A** - B System 22
Finite-Radius Pseudopotential 25
PES of the A* - B System at Large Interatomic Distances 30
Exchange Interaction Between the Rydberg States in the A ** - A System 34
Potential Curves for the Na(nl)** + He System 37
Relation to Quantum Chemistry - Matching Method 42
Interaction of Rydberg Molecules with Atoms and Molecules 44
Dynamical Models in the Theory of Collisional Transitions Between Rydberg States 53
Ionization and Vibronic Transitions in Slow Collisions of Highly Excited Molecules with Neutral Particles 57
Dynamics of the Charge-Exchange Reaction in the X2** + A System 64
Nonadiabatic Effects in the l-Mixing Processes 69
Many-Center Perturbation of the Atomic Rydberg States 72
Conclusions 78
References 80
Chapter 2: Formation of Aerosols in the Atmosphere 85
Introduction 85
Classification of Aerosols 86
Nucleation Scenarios 88
Kinetics of Nucleation 93
Growth by Condensation 96
Uptake of Trace Gases by the Aerosol Particles 99
Nucleation Bursts in the Atmosphere 103
Concluding Remarks 108
References 108
Chapter 3: Atmosphere-Ionosphere Electrodynamic Coupling 112
Introduction 113
Effects of Lightning and Powerful Ground-Based Transmitters on the Near-Earth Space 116
Electric Current and Field Perturbation in the Atmosphere-Ionosphere Circuit 131
Plasma and Electromagnetic Effects of Seismic-Related Electric Field in the Ionosphere 138
Conclusions 149
References 150
Chapter 4: ``COMPASS 2´´ Satellite and Ground-Based Experiments 162
Introduction 163
Satellite Experiment ``COMPASS 2´´ 163
ELF and VLF Electromagnetic Background in Topside Ionosphere over Seismically Active Areas (Intercosmos-24 Satellite) 171
Quasi-static Electric and ULF Magnetic Fields on Kamchatka 176
An Experimental Confirmation of the Relation Between Precursors of Earthquakes in Near-Earth Electric Fields and in Ionosphere Parameters 179
References 186
Chapter 5: Mathematical Modeling of Dynamics Processes in the Upper Atmosphere and Ionosphere 189
Introduction 190
Global Numerical Models of the Upper Atmosphere and Ionosphere 190
Modeling Atmosphere and Ionosphere Perturbations 195
Modeling Ionospheric Disturbances on the Geomagnetic Storms 196
Modeling of Interaction of Various Layers of the Atmosphere 198
Perfection of the Description of Photochemical Reactions 201
Modeling Ionosphere Precursors of Earthquakes 205
Conclusion 209
References 211
6: Ball Lightning Investigations 215
Modern State on Ball-Lightning Investigations 215
Ball Lightning as an Object of Condensed Substance 310
Electrodynamical Model of Ball Lightning 326
Ball Lightning as the Thermodynamic Limit of the Periodic System 345
References 370
Index 388