Evolution of nonlinear Alfvén waves propagating along the magnetic field in a collisionless plasma

1982 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 459-468 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Khanna ◽  
R. Rajaram
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Collisionless Plasma ◽  
Momentum Equation ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Mhd Waves ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Flr Effects ◽  
The Magnetic Field

It is shown that the asymptotic evolution of a finite-amplitude Alfvén wave propagating parallel to the uniform magnetic field in a warm homogeneous collisionless plasma is governed by the modified nonlinear Schrödinger equation. The dispersion is provided by the ion finite Larmor radius (FLR) effects in the momentum equation and the Hall current and electron pressure corrections to the generalized Ohm's law. In the cold plasma limit the equations reduce to those available in the literature. It is suggested that these calculations can have a bearing on the investigation of the structure of MHD waves in the solar wind.

Evolution of nonlinear magnetosonic waves propagating obliquely to an external magnetic field in a collisionless plasma

2000 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
DEBALINA CHAKRABORTY ◽  
K. P. DAS
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Hall Current ◽  
Collisionless Plasma ◽  
Momentum Equation ◽  
Finite Amplitude ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Petviashvili Equation ◽  
Flr Effects ◽  
External Uniform Magnetic Field

It is shown that the asymptotic evolution of finite-amplitude magnetosonic waves propagating obliquely to an external uniform magnetic field in a warm homogeneous plasma is governed by a Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation having an extra dispersive term. The dispersion is provided by finite-Larmor-radius (FLR) effects in the momentum equation and by the Hall-current and electron-pressure corrections in the generalized Ohm's law. A double-layer-type solution of the equation is obtained, and the equation is shown to reduce to a KdV–Burgers equation under certain assumptions.

scholarly journals Diffusion at the Earth magnetopause: enhancement by Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 271-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Smets ◽  
G. Belmont ◽  
D. Delcourt ◽  
L. Rezeau
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Simple Analytical Model ◽  
Helmholtz Instability ◽  
Field Reversal ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Specific Distribution ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Using hybrid simulations, we examine how particles can diffuse across the Earth's magnetopause because of finite Larmor radius effects. We focus on tangential discontinuities and consider a reversal of the magnetic field that closely models the magnetopause under southward interplanetary magnetic field. When the Larmor radius is on the order of the field reversal thickness, we show that particles can cross the discontinuity. We also show that with a realistic initial shear flow, a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability develops that increases the efficiency of the crossing process. We investigate the distribution functions of the transmitted ions and demonstrate that they are structured according to a D-shape. It accordingly appears that magnetic reconnection at the magnetopause is not the only process that leads to such specific distribution functions. A simple analytical model that describes the built-up of these functions is proposed.

scholarly journals Excitation of kinetic Alfvén turbulence by MHD waves and energization of space plasmas

2004 ◽  
Vol 11 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 535-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Voitenko ◽  
M. Goossens
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Energy Transport ◽  
Plasma Heating ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Mhd Waves ◽  
Space Plasmas ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Dissipation Range

Abstract. There is abundant observational evidence that the energization of plasma particles in space is correlated with an enhanced activity of large-scale MHD waves. Since these waves cannot interact with particles, we need to find ways for these MHD waves to transport energy in the dissipation range formed by small-scale or high-frequency waves, which are able to interact with particles. In this paper we consider the dissipation range formed by the kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) which are very short- wavelengths across the magnetic field irrespectively of their frequency. We study a nonlocal nonlinear mechanism for the excitation of KAWs by MHD waves via resonant decay AW(FW)→KAW1+KAW2, where the MHD wave can be either an Alfvén wave (AW), or a fast magneto-acoustic wave (FW). The resonant decay thus provides a non-local energy transport from large scales directly in the dissipation range. The decay is efficient at low amplitudes of the magnetic field in the MHD waves, B/B0~10-2. In turn, KAWs are very efficient in the energy exchange with plasma particles, providing plasma heating and acceleration in a variety of space plasmas. An anisotropic energy deposition in the field-aligned degree of freedom for the electrons, and in the cross-field degrees of freedom for the ions, is typical for KAWs. A few relevant examples are discussed concerning nonlinear excitation of KAWs by the MHD wave flux and consequent plasma energization in the solar corona and terrestrial magnetosphere.

scholarly journals Reduced models accounting for parallel magnetic perturbations: gyrofluid and finite Larmor radius–Landau fluid approaches

2016 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Tassi ◽  
P. L. Sulem ◽  
T. Passot
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Model ◽  
Collisionless Plasma ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Plasma Phys ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Closure Relation ◽  
Reduced Models ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius

Reduced models are derived for a strongly magnetized collisionless plasma at scales which are large relative to the electron thermal gyroradius and in two asymptotic regimes. One corresponds to cold ions and the other to far sub-ion scales. By including the electron pressure dynamics, these models improve the Hall reduced magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and the kinetic Alfvén wave model of Boldyrev et al. (2013 Astrophys. J., vol. 777, 2013, p. 41), respectively. We show that the two models can be obtained either within the gyrofluid formalism of Brizard (Phys. Fluids, vol. 4, 1992, pp. 1213–1228) or as suitable weakly nonlinear limits of the finite Larmor radius (FLR)–Landau fluid model of Sulem and Passot (J. Plasma Phys., vol 81, 2015, 325810103) which extends anisotropic Hall MHD by retaining low-frequency kinetic effects. It is noticeable that, at the far sub-ion scales, the simplifications originating from the gyroaveraging operators in the gyrofluid formalism and leading to subdominant ion velocity and temperature fluctuations, correspond, at the level of the FLR–Landau fluid, to cancellation between hydrodynamic contributions and ion finite Larmor radius corrections. Energy conservation properties of the models are discussed and an explicit example of a closure relation leading to a model with a Hamiltonian structure is provided.

Rayleigh-Taylor Instability of a Stratified Plasma

1974 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. M. Srivastava
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Boussinesq Approximation ◽  
Short Wave ◽  
Taylor Instability ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Wave Disturbances ◽  
Magnetic Field Gradients ◽  
Rayleigh Taylor Instability ◽  
The Magnetic Field

We have investigated the effect of finite Larmor radius on the Rayleigh-Taylor instability of a semi-infinite, compressible, stratified and infinitely conducting plasma. The plasma is assumed to have a one dimensional density and magnetic field gradients. The eigenvalue problem has been solved under Boussinesq approximation for disturbances parallel to the magnetic field. It has been established that for perturbation parallel to the magnetic field, the system is stable for both stable and unstable stratification. For perturbation perpendicular to the magnetic field, the problem has been solved without Boussinesq approximation. The dispersion relation has been discussed in the two limiting cases, the short and long wave disturbances. It has been observed that the gyroviscosity has a destabilizing influence from k = 0 to k = 4.5 for ß* = 0.1 and for ß* = 0.1 up to k* = 2.85 and then onwards it acts as a stabilizing agent. It has a damping effect on the short wave disturbances. For some parameters, the largets imaginary part has been shown in Figs. 1 and 2

Stability of anisotropic plasmas to almost-perpendicular magnetosonic waves

1971 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Landau† ◽  
S. Cuperman
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Dispersion Relation ◽  
Simple Form ◽  
Cyclotron Frequency ◽  
Plasma Frequency ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Ion Plasma ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The stability of anisotropic plasmas to the magnetosonic (or right-hand compressional Alfvén) wave, near the ion cyclotron frequency, propagating almost perpendicular to the magnetic field, is investigated. For this case, and for wavelengths larger than the ion Larmor radius and for large ion plasma frequency (w2p+ ≫ Ωp+) the dispersion relation is obtained in a simple form. It is shown that for T # T' (even T ≫ T) no instabifity occurs. The resonant ters are also included, and it is shown that there is no resonant instabifity, only damping.

scholarly journals Alfvén wave interaction with inhomogeneous plasmas: acceleration and energy cascade towards small-scales

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. 2081-2096 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Génot ◽  
P. Louarn ◽  
F. Mottez
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Electromagnetic Waves ◽  
Wave Interaction ◽  
Skin Depth ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Double Layers ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Density Gradients ◽  
Particle In Cell ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Abstract. Investigating the process of electron acceleration in auroral regions, we present a study of the temporal evolution of the interaction of Alfvén waves (AW) with a plasma inhomogeneous in a direction transverse to the static magnetic field. This type of inhomogeneity is typical of the density cavities extended along the magnetic field in auroral acceleration regions. We use self-consistent Particle In Cell (PIC) simulations which are able to reproduce the full nonlinear evolution of the electromagnetic waves, as well as the trajectories of ions and electrons in phase space. Physical processes are studied down to the ion Larmor radius and electron skin depth scales. We show that the AW propagation on sharp density gradients leads to the formation of a significant parallel (to the magnetic field) electric field (E-field). It results from an electric charge separation generated on the density gradients by the polarization drift associated with the time varying AW E-field. Its amplitude may reach a few percents of the AW E-field. This parallel component accelerates electrons up to keV energies over a distance of a few hundred Debye lengths, and induces the formation of electron beams. These beams trigger electrostatic plasma instabilities which evolve toward the formation of nonlinear electrostatic structures (identified as electron holes and double layers). When the electrostatic turbulence is fully developed we show that it reduces the further wave/particle exchange. This sequence of mechanisms is analyzed with the program WHAMP, to identify the instabilities at work and wavelet analysis techniques are used to characterize the regime of energy conversions (from electromagnetic to electrostatic structures, from large to small length scales). This study elucidates a possible scenario to account for the particle acceleration and the wave dissipation in inhomogeneous plasmas. It would consist of successive phases of acceleration along the magnetic field, the development of an electrostatic turbulence, the thermalization and the heating of the plasma. Space plasma physics (charged particle motion and acceleration; numerical studies).

scholarly journals Finite-Larmor-radius equilibrium and currents of the Earth’s flank magnetopause

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Cerri
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Model ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Anisotropic Pressure ◽  
Current Layer ◽  
Ion Dynamics ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Analytic Expressions ◽  
The One ◽  
Flr Effects ◽  
The Magnetic Field

We consider the one-dimensional equilibrium problem of a shear-flow boundary layer within an ‘extended-fluid model’ of a plasma that includes the Hall and the electron pressure terms in Ohm’s law, as well as dynamic equations for anisotropic pressure for each species and first-order finite-Larmor-radius (FLR) corrections to the ion dynamics. We provide a generalized version of the analytic expressions for the equilibrium configuration given in Cerri et al., (Phys. Plasmas, vol. 20 (11), 2013, 112112), highlighting their intrinsic asymmetry due to the relative orientation of the magnetic field $\boldsymbol{B}$, $\boldsymbol{b}=\boldsymbol{B}/|\boldsymbol{B}|$, and the fluid vorticity $\unicode[STIX]{x1D74E}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\times \boldsymbol{u}$ (‘$\unicode[STIX]{x1D74E}\boldsymbol{b}$ asymmetry’). Finally, we show that FLR effects can modify the Chapman–Ferraro current layer at the flank magnetopause in a way that is consistent with the observed structure reported by Haaland et al., (J. Geophys. Res. (Space Phys.), vol. 119, 2014, pp. 9019–9037). In particular, we are able to qualitatively reproduce the following key features: (i) the dusk–dawn asymmetry of the current layer, (ii) a double-peak feature in the current profiles and (iii) adjacent current sheets having thicknesses of several ion Larmor radii and with different current directions.

Effect of finite Larmor radius on Rayleigh–Taylor instability of a plasma

1969 ◽  
Vol 47 (22) ◽  
pp. 2435-2437 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. Ariel ◽  
P. K. Bhatia
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Density Gradient ◽  
Taylor Instability ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Unstable Configuration ◽  
Rayleigh Taylor Instability ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The effects of a finite Larmor radius of the ions are investigated on the Rayleigh–Taylor instability of a plasma in which there is a density gradient in a direction perpendicular to that of the magnetic field. It is found that the unstable configuration is completely stabilized by the finite Larmor radius effect.

On the stability of the screw pinch in the CGL model

1976 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 261-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishna M. Srivastava ◽  
F. Waelbroeck
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Larmor Radius ◽  
Anisotropic Pressure ◽  
Finite Larmor Radius ◽  
Main Column ◽  
First Order Correction ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Ideal Plasma

We have investigated the stability of the screw pinch with the help of the double adiabatic (CGL) equations including the finite Larmor radius effects through the anisotropic pressure tensor. The calculations are approximate, with FLR treated as a first-order correction to the ideal plasma equations. The dispersion relation has been solved for various values of R2 = p∥/p⊥ and α for the rale and imaginary part of the frequency (ω = ωR ± iωI) in three particular cases: (a) μ = 0, the θ-pinch, (b) μ = ∞, the Z-pinch, (c) μ = -α/m, field distubances parallel to the equilibrium field. Here μ is the pitch of the magnetic field in the pressureless plasma surrounding the main column, α is the wave number, m is the azimuthal number, p∥ and p⊥ are plasma pressures along and perpendicular to the magnetic field.

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