SCINTILLATION EFFECTS AND THE SPATIAL POWER SPECTRUM OF SCATTERED RADIO WAVES IN THE IONOSPHERIC F REGION

Differential equation for two-dimensional spectral function of the phase fluctuation is derived using the modify smooth perturbation method. Second order statistical moments of the phase fluctuations are calculated taking into account polarization coefficients of both ordinary and extraordinary waves in the turbulent collision magnetized plasma and the diffraction effects. Analytical and numerical investigations in the ionospheric F region are based on the anisotropic Gaussian and power law spectral functions of electron density fluctuations including both the field-aligned anisotropy and field-perpendicular anisotropy of the plasma irregularities. Scintillation effects in this region are investigated for the small-scale ionospheric irregularities. The large-scale background plasma structures are responsible for the double-humped shape in the spatial power spectrum taking into account diffraction effects. Numerical calculations are based on the experimental data of the navigation satellites.