Radio and optical techniques for locating equatorial plasma irregularities

Plasma density depletions occur in the post-sunset F region ionosphere almost nightly during certain seasons at equatorial latitudes. These depletions contain density irregularities of scales ranging from a few centimeters to thousands of kilometers. Spread-F, the disruption of ionospheric measurements with ionosondes and incoherent scatter radar, and scintillation (fading) of trans-ionospheric radio communication and navigation signals are well-known symptoms of depletions. This dissertation describes new techniques to combine optical and radio ionospheric remote sensing data in common formats to leverage observational strengths and mitigate weaknesses, leading to new or improved physical interpretations.