In this thesis, several aspects of HF coherent backscatter from the high-latitude E and F regions are studied with the focus on the relationship between the echo characteristics and the parameters of the ionosphere. The Hankasalmi CUTLASS/SuperDARN radar is the primary instrument for the undertaken studies. <p> The starting point in the research is that coherent echo characteristics are affected by two factors: the plasma physics of magnetic field-aligned irregularity formation and the propagation conditions in that the HF radio waves need to be close to the normal of the Earths magnetic field to detect the irregularities. Since the mechanisms of irregularity production are believed to be different at various heights, observations in the E and F regions are considered separately. <p>For the F-region backscatter, we first investigate the ionospheric conditions necessary for backscatter to be detected at specific latitudes and in specific time sectors. To achieve this goal, two approaches are employed. First, a long-term statistical study of diurnal, seasonal and solar cycle effects on echo occurrence is done to assess the relative importance of changes in plasma instability conditions and radio wave propagation. Next, echo occurrence is studied for an area in which ionospheric parameters are measured by EISCAT and other instruments. Both approaches indicate that F-region echoes occur if the electric field is enhanced (above 5-10 mV/m). We show that, once the electric field is above the threshold, the echo power is only slightly dependent on it. We demonstrate that the strongest echoes are received when the F-region electron density is optimal for the selected range and altitude. This optimal value is found to be about 2x1011 m-3 for the Hankasalmi radar. The role of the conducting E region on irregularity excitation and HF radio wave absorption are discussed. <p>The next problem considered with respect to the F-region echoes is the relationship between the velocity of the F-region echoes and plasma convection. We give additional evidence that the observed HF line-of-sight velocity is the projection of the convection velocity on the radar beam and that the Map Potential technique (currently in use for building the global-scale convection maps) compares well with the local EISCAT convection measurements. <p> With respect to the E-region backscatter, two major features are studied. First, a more detailed (as compared to the standard SuperDARN approach) analysis of the spectra is performed. By employing the Burg spectrum analysis method, we show that the E-region echoes are double-peaked in ~35% of observations. Variations of the peak separation with the range and azimuth of observations are investigated. The occurrence of double-peak echoes is associated with scatter from two different heights within the E region. HF ray tracing indicates that for typical ionospheric conditions, scatter from the top and the bottom of the E region is possible at certain slant ranges. In the upper layer the plasma waves move with the velocity close to the ExB convection component. For the lower layer, the plasma wave velocity is reduced due to enhanced ion and electron collision frequencies. A second issue is how do the velocities of HF and VHF E-region echoes compare for observations along the same direction. We concluded that the velocity of E-region echoes at HF can be comparable to or below the VHF velocity and well below the ExB convection component, implying that the scatter can often come from the bottom of the electrojet layer. Other aspects of VHF velocities are also discussed.

The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) of HF coherent radars has been originally designed to monitor echoes, and thus study physical processes, from within the auroral oval, the area with the most frequent occurrence of discrete auroras. Monitoring of higher latitudes, the so-called polar cap (including the magnetic Poles areas), was anticipated because of over-the-horizon nature of the radars, but this capability was considered to be a value-added feature. Recently (2006 and 2008), two new radars at Rankin Inlet and Inuvik (Canada) were installed by the University of Saskatchewan radar group to be able to monitor HF echoes from within the polar cap directly. In this Thesis, two aspects of the Rankin Inlet (RKN) radar observations are investigated. First, occurrence of ionospheric echoes is studied. Assessment of the echo occurrence rate is performed and the rate is compared with observations of concurrently operating Saskatoon and Halley (Southern hemisphere) SuperDARN radars. It is shown that the RKN overall occurrence rates (within the optimal area of detection) are ~20% which is well above the rates for the Saskatoon (~6%) and Halley (~1%) radars. The rates are somewhat smaller in the early morning (02-05 MLT) and postnoon (15-20 MLT) hours of magnetic local time. Seasonally, the rates are smaller for summer with significant drop near the magnetic noon. Secondly, an event of the RKN radar monitoring of a polar cap arc, progressing through the radar field of view, is presented. F region echoes are shown to be stronger in the arcs wake, and they are broader on both its sides. Arc-related sheared plasma flows were demonstrated by considering the radar velocity measurements. Occasional occurrence of strong shears away from the arc was noticed, and it was related to the onset of a second, sub-visual arc, emerging from the auroral oval and intruding the polar cap. The data presented demonstrate the usefulness of the RKN observations of the high-latitude arcs whose mechanism of formation is presently unclear. An attempt has been made to discern magnetic signatures of the polar cap arc. Magnetic perturbations were found to be very weak and not easily interpreted.

Mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs), which typically form within the stratiform rain of some mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), may persist for days, often regenerating convection daily. Long-lived MCVs can produce as much precipitation as a landfalling hurricane and lead to catastrophic flooding. The number of studies using multi-Doppler radar observations for validation of the kinematics, or three-dimensional (3-D) wind structure, of MCV genesis is limited. For this study, the Oklahoma City (KTLX) and Tulsa, Oklahoma (KINX) Weather Surveillance Radar – 1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) were used to examine the genesis of a long-lived MCV from 0000 to 0300 UTC on 11 June 2003. Traditional dual-Doppler techniques were used to determine the 3-D wind field. To relate MCV genesis within the associated larger MCS, time series of convective and stratiform precipitation, divergence, vertical vorticity, and vertical velocity were created for multiple levels within the MCS. The role of vertical vorticity generated in the convective region in MCV development was determined using vertical profiles of the terms in the vorticity tendency equation at 15 minute temporal resolution during the three hour period of investigation. The results of this study provide a detailed three hour examination for the initiation and early evolution of a long-lived MCV and can provide model validation of MCV generation.

Thèse de doctorat : mathématiques appliquées aux systèmes : Ecole centrale de Paris : 2009. / Titre provenant de l'écran-titre. Bibliogr. 45 réf.

Thesis (M.S. in Meteorology and Oceanography)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor: Harr, Patrick. Second Reader: Elsberry, Russell. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 27, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Electra Doppler Radar (ELDORA), Tropical Cyclone Structure (TCS08), TCS08, tropical cyclone formation, Tropical Circulation System (TCS), TCS025. Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-76). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Naval Postgraduate School, 2002. / Thesis advisor(s): Michael Melich, David Jenn, Rodney Johnson. Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-72). Also available online.

Thesis (M.S. in Applied Physics)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Borden, Brett. Second Reader: Walters, Donald. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 29, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Radar imaging, moving targets, point-spread function. Includes bibliographical references (p. 57). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S. in Electrical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Fouts, Douglas J. ; Pace, Phillip E. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 27, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Choi-Williams Distribution, Signal Processing, Algorithm Optimization, C programming, Low Probability of Intercept (LPI), Radar detection, Radar classification. Includes bibliographical references (p. 75-76). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S. in Combat Systems Technology)--Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009. / Thesis Advisor(s): Borden, Brett H. Second Reader: Pace, Phillip E. "December 2009." Description based on title screen as viewed on January 26, 2010. Author(s) subject terms: Radar imaging, moving targets, point spread function, ambiguity function. Includes bibliographical references (p.69). Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xxii, 212 p.; also includes graphics. Includes abstract and vita. Advisor: Jeffrey Daniels, Dept. of Geological Sciences. Includes bibliographical references (p. 152-154).