A theoretical model for ionospheric electric fields at mid- and low-latitudes.

A theoretical model for ionospheric electric fields at mid- and low-latitudes is developed. In the geomagnetic dipolar coordinate system, we deduce a partial differential equation of electric potential from the ionospheric dynamo theory. The deduced equation is taken as the fundamental equation for the present model. The principal parameters for the model input, the thermospheric neutral winds, the densities and temperatures of electrons, ions and neutral atoms and molecules, are obtained from the empirical models HWM93, IRI90 and MSISE90, respectively. In terms of the relaxation iteration method, the partial equations for electric potential are solved successfully, and then, the ionospheric electric potential, fields, and currents are derived. Our model can reproduce the main features of the ionospheric electrodynamical processes such as the equatorial electric jet (EEJ), so it will be a useful tool for studying the upper atmosphere and ionosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]