How are polar cap patches formed?

Polar cap patches are clouds of enhanced plasma density that drift  through the upper atmosphere. Due to plasma instability processes, these  clouds can disturb and even disrupt the communication between satellites  and receivers on the ground; therefore, in order to be able to predict  their impact on satellite communications, understanding their formation  process is very important. During this project the electrodynamics of the polar cap patch formation  mechanism are explored using data from ground observatories such as  coherent/incoherent scatter radars and optical imagers, as well as in  situ data from the Swarm satellites. The results of this analysis will  be compared to our current understanding of the polar cap patch  formation process. During this project the candidate may be asked to  travel to Svalbard to operate/maintain some of the instruments involved  in this study.