On the evolution of a nonlinear Alfvén pulse
1999 ◽
Vol 62
(2)
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pp. 219-232
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Keyword(s):
The temporal evolution of weakly nonlinear, plane, linearly polarized Alfvén pulses in a cold homogeneous plasma is investigated. A static initial pulse-like disturbance in transverse velocity produces two Alfvén pulses that travel in opposite directions along the magnetic field. The ponderomotive force of the two pulses produces a static shock in longitudinal velocity at the starting position. The travelling pulses form a shock front that is governed by the scalar Cohen–Kulsrud equation. We find good agreement between the analytical solutions we derive and the results from a fully nonlinear numerical MHD code.
Keyword(s):
Keyword(s):
2009 ◽
Vol 14
(3)
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pp. 303-314
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1978 ◽
Vol 33
(7)
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pp. 749-760
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