| The work presented in this dissertation concerns evolution of the high latitude ionospheric convection and the relevant current systems associated with substorms, with emphasize on these features near the nightside Harang reversal region. Three different types of radars, including the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) coherent-scatter radars, the new advanced modular incoherent-scatter radar at Poker Flat (PFISR), and the Sondrestrom incoherent-scatter radar (ISR), have been utilized. Observations from those radars, together with those from complementary instruments, including satellites and other ground-based instruments, have revealed fundamental new understand of the ionospheric electrodynamic properties associated with substorms. By using the SuperDARN and the PFISR radars, we found that the auroral activity at substorm onset is located in the center of the Harang reversal, which represents a key region in the magnetospheric and ionospheric convection and is part of the Region 2 system. We have also shown that nightside convection flows exhibit repeatable, distinct variations at different locations relative to the substorm-related auroral activity. Taking advantage of the simultaneous flow and ionization measurements from PFISR, a current closure relation has been found between the Region 2 and the substorm field-aligned current systems. These observations demonstrate a strong coupling between the Region 2 system and the substorm dynamics. This study sheds new light on the substorm-related magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling and contributes to the building of a holistic picture of the substorm dynamics. The third radar has been used to study the dayside ionospheric convection response to the external soar wind and IMF driving and its role in substorm dynamics. The results have been applied to study substorm triggering and in the future could be used to study the relation between the external driving and the formation of the Harang reversal. |
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