Generation of zonal flow and magnetic field by coupled internal-gravity and alfvén waves in the ionospheric E-layer

Nonlinear dynamics of coupled internal-gravity (IG) and alfvén electromagnetic planetary waves in the weakly ionized ionospheric E-layer is investigated. Under such coupling new type of alfvén waves is revealed. It is shown that such short wavelength turbulence of IG and alfvén waves is unstable with respect to the excitation of low-frequency and large-scale perturbations of the zonal flow and magnetic field. A set of coupled equations describing the nonlinear interaction of coupled IG and alfvén waves with zonal flows is derived. The nonlinear mechanism of the instability is driven by the advection of vorticity and is based on the parametric excitation of convective cells by finite-amplitude coupled IG and alfvén waves leading to the inverse energy cascade toward the longer wavelength. The growth rates of the corresponding instability and the conditions for driving them are determined. The possibility of generation of the intense mean magnetic field is shown.

► The Earth's ionospheric E-layer is considered.
► Nonlinear dynamics of coupled internal-gravity (IG) and Alfven waves is examined.
► Under such coupling new type of Alfven waves is revealed.
► Parametric excitation of zonal flows by coupled IG and Alfven waves is shown.
► The possibility of the intense mean magnetic field excitation is revealed.