Parameterization of monoenergetic electron impact ionization

We report a new parameterization of ionization in the Earth's atmosphere by isotropically precipitating monoenergetic (100 eV to 1 MeV) electrons. This new parameterization is the first one based on sophisticated first-principle models, and represents a significant improvement in accuracy, particularly for incident auroral and lower energies. Without previous need to interpolate over source energy and atmospheric range, the new parameterization provides an easier implementation with a robust fit of model calculations for a wide range of incident energies and atmospheric conditions. By decomposing any incident energy spectrum into contiguous monoenergetic components and then calculating and integrating their resulting ionization, our parameterization is a valuable tool that can be used in conjunction with global models to accurately quantify the impact from realistic precipitating electrons during space weather events. Citation: Fang, X., C. E. Randall, D. Lummerzheim, W. Wang, G. Lu, S. C. Solomon, and R. A. Frahm (2010), Parameterization of monoenergetic electron impact ionization, Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L22106, doi: 10.1029/2010GL045406.