The agreement between fluid and kinetic theory is quite good for a microwave flux of 23mW/cm2. With a power flux of 46mW/cm2, fluid theory predictions significantly overestimate the electron temperature increase by as much as 120°K. A comparison of the fluid theory predictions and the Arecibo 430 MHz incoherent scatter radar experiments (Fig. 3) validate the E-layer electron temperature predictions. The difference between theory and experiment at 95 km (and below, not shown) is thought to be due to the interpretation of the incoherent backscatter measurements of electron temperature (cf. presentation by L. M. Duncan, and F. T. Djuth$ in these proceedings). The following conclusions can be drawn from the theoretical results: (1) kinetic and fluid theory estimates for SPS flux levels agree and predict a factor of 2-3 increase in electron temperature; (2) the E-layer predictions are validated by the 430 MHz Arecibo radar heating experiments and recent HF Arecibo measurements also validate the D-layer results; (3) Platteville, operating at 5 MHz X-mode simulates or exceeds SPS effects over most of the D-layer; (4) electron density decreases of up to 50 percent can be expected below 80 km and increases of up to 20% can be expected in the E-layer. REFERENCES 1. Perkins, F. W. and R. G. Robie: J. Geophys. Res. 93 : 1611 (1978). 2. Tomko, A., et al.: J. Atm. Terr. Phys., in press (1980). 3. Engelhardt, A. G., and A. V. Phelps: Phys. Rev. 131: 2115 (1963). 4. Duncan, L. M. and W. E. Gordon: lonosphere/Microwave Beam Interaction: Arecibo Experimental Results, these proceedings. 5. Djuth, F. T., et al.: SPS Heating in the Lower Ionosphere - An Experimental View, these proceedings.
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