Modeling ELF Electromagnetic Field in the Upper Ionosphere From Power Transmission Lines
E. N. Fedorov, N. G. Mazur, Vyacheslav Pilipenko, Vera V. Vakhnina
Abstract
Abstract The expected magnitude of extralow‐frequency (ELF) electromagnetic response in the upper ionosphere to ground large‐scale power transmission lines at low Earth orbit (LEO) is modeled. The full‐wave system of Maxwell's equations is numerically solved in a realistic ionosphere whose parameters have been reconstructed with the use of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model. We have calculated the altitudinal structure in the atmosphere and ionosphere of electromagnetic field and Poynting flux excited by an oscillating 50/150 Hz linear current suspended above the ground. The leakage rate into the upper ionosphere was shown to increase during nighttime hours and above a high‐resistive crust. The amplitudes of electromagnetic power line emission (PLE) detected by LEO satellites correspond to the unbalanced power line current intensity of about 1–10 A, depending on the crust resistivity.