scholarly journals ALFVÉN WAVE REFLECTION AND TURBULENT HEATING IN THE SOLAR WIND FROM 1 SOLAR RADIUS TO 1 AU: AN ANALYTICAL TREATMENT

2009 ◽  
Vol 707 (2) ◽  
pp. 1659-1667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin D. G. Chandran ◽  
Joseph V. Hollweg
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Wave Reflection ◽  
Solar Radius ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Analytical Treatment ◽  
Turbulent Heating

scholarly journals ON THE CONSERVATION OF CROSS HELICITY AND WAVE ACTION IN SOLAR-WIND MODELS WITH NON-WKB ALFVÉN WAVE REFLECTION

2015 ◽  
Vol 811 (1) ◽  
pp. 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin D. G. Chandran ◽  
Jean C. Perez ◽  
Daniel Verscharen ◽  
Kristopher G. Klein ◽  
Alfred Mallet
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Wave Reflection ◽  
Wave Action ◽  
Alfven Wave

scholarly journals An approximate analytic solution to the coupled problems of coronal heating and solar-wind acceleration

2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin D. G. Chandran
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Transition Region ◽  
Analytic Solution ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Plasma Temperature ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Approximate Analytic Solution ◽  
Detailed Model ◽  
Turbulent Heating ◽  
Simplified Calculation

Between the base of the solar corona at $r=r_\textrm {b}$ and the Alfvén critical point at $r=r_\textrm {A}$ , where $r$ is heliocentric distance, the solar-wind density decreases by a factor $ \mathop > \limits_\sim 10^5$ , but the plasma temperature varies by a factor of only a few. In this paper, I show that such quasi-isothermal evolution out to $r=r_\textrm {A}$ is a generic property of outflows powered by reflection-driven Alfvén-wave (AW) turbulence, in which outward-propagating AWs partially reflect, and counter-propagating AWs interact to produce a cascade of fluctuation energy to small scales, which leads to turbulent heating. Approximating the sub-Alfvénic region as isothermal, I first present a brief, simplified calculation showing that in a solar or stellar wind powered by AW turbulence with minimal conductive losses, $\dot {M} \simeq P_\textrm {AW}(r_\textrm {b})/v_\textrm {esc}^2$ , $U_{\infty } \simeq v_\textrm {esc}$ , and $T\simeq m_\textrm {p} v_\textrm {esc}^2/[8 k_\textrm {B} \ln (v_\textrm {esc}/\delta v_\textrm {b})]$ , where $\dot {M}$ is the mass outflow rate, $U_{\infty }$ is the asymptotic wind speed, $T$ is the coronal temperature, $v_\textrm {esc}$ is the escape velocity of the Sun, $\delta v_\textrm {b}$ is the fluctuating velocity at $r_\textrm {b}$ , $P_\textrm {AW}$ is the power carried by outward-propagating AWs, $k_\textrm {B}$ is the Boltzmann constant, and $m_\textrm {p}$ is the proton mass. I then develop a more detailed model of the transition region, corona, and solar wind that accounts for the heat flux $q_\textrm {b}$ from the coronal base into the transition region and momentum deposition by AWs. I solve analytically for $q_\textrm {b}$ by balancing conductive heating against internal-energy losses from radiation, $p\,\textrm {d} V$ work, and advection within the transition region. The density at $r_\textrm {b}$ is determined by balancing turbulent heating and radiative cooling at $r_\textrm {b}$ . I solve the equations of the model analytically in two different parameter regimes. In one of these regimes, the leading-order analytic solution reproduces the results of the aforementioned simplified calculation of $\dot {M}$ , $U_\infty$ , and $T$ . Analytic and numerical solutions to the model equations match a number of observations.

scholarly journals Reflection-driven magnetohydrodynamic turbulence in the solar atmosphere and solar wind

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin D. G. Chandran ◽  
Jean C. Perez
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Heating Rate ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Inertial Range ◽  
Magnetic Flux Tube ◽  
Analytic Model ◽  
Mhd Turbulence ◽  
Background Magnetic Field ◽  
Turbulent Heating

We present three-dimensional direct numerical simulations and an analytic model of reflection-driven magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in the solar wind. Our simulations describe transverse, non-compressive MHD fluctuations within a narrow magnetic flux tube that extends from the photosphere, through the chromosphere and corona and out to a heliocentric distance  $r$ of 21 solar radii  $(R_{\odot })$ . We launch outward-propagating ‘ $\boldsymbol{z}^{+}$ fluctuations’ into the simulation domain by imposing a randomly evolving photospheric velocity field. As these fluctuations propagate away from the Sun, they undergo partial reflection, producing inward-propagating ‘ $\boldsymbol{z}^{-}$ fluctuations’. Counter-propagating fluctuations subsequently interact, causing fluctuation energy to cascade to small scales and dissipate. Our analytic model incorporates dynamic alignment, allows for strongly or weakly turbulent nonlinear interactions and divides the $\boldsymbol{z}^{+}$ fluctuations into two populations with different characteristic radial correlation lengths. The inertial-range power spectra of $\boldsymbol{z}^{+}$ and $\boldsymbol{z}^{-}$ fluctuations in our simulations evolve toward a $k_{\bot }^{-3/2}$ scaling at $r>10R_{\odot }$ , where $k_{\bot }$ is the wave-vector component perpendicular to the background magnetic field. In two of our simulations, the $\boldsymbol{z}^{+}$ power spectra are much flatter between the coronal base and $r\simeq 4R_{\odot }$ . We argue that these spectral scalings are caused by: (i) high-pass filtering in the upper chromosphere; (ii) the anomalous coherence of inertial-range $\boldsymbol{z}^{-}$ fluctuations in a reference frame propagating outwards with the $\boldsymbol{z}^{+}$ fluctuations; and (iii) the change in the sign of the radial derivative of the Alfvén speed at $r=r_{\text{m}}\simeq 1.7R_{\odot }$ , which disrupts this anomalous coherence between $r=r_{\text{m}}$ and $r\simeq 2r_{\text{m}}$ . At $r>1.3R_{\odot }$ , the turbulent heating rate in our simulations is comparable to the turbulent heating rate in a previously developed solar-wind model that agreed with a number of observational constraints, consistent with the hypothesis that MHD turbulence accounts for much of the heating of the fast solar wind.

scholarly journals Observations of polar patches generated by solar wind Alfvén wave coupling to the dayside magnetosphere

1999 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Prikryl ◽  
J. W. MacDougall ◽  
I. F. Grant ◽  
D. P. Steele ◽  
G. J. Sofko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Alfven Waves ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Alfvén Waves ◽  
Convection Cell ◽  
Convection Flow ◽  
Vhf Radar ◽  
Sky Imager ◽  
The Imf

Abstract. A long series of polar patches was observed by ionosondes and an all-sky imager during a disturbed period (Kp = 7- and IMF Bz < 0). The ionosondes measured electron densities of up to 9 × 1011 m-3 in the patch center, an increase above the density minimum between patches by a factor of \\sim4.5. Bands of F-region irregularities generated at the equatorward edge of the patches were tracked by HF radars. The backscatter bands were swept northward and eastward across the polar cap in a fan-like formation as the afternoon convection cell expanded due to the IMF By > 0. Near the north magnetic pole, an all-sky imager observed the 630-nm emission patches of a distinctly band-like shape drifting northeastward to eastward. The 630-nm emission patches were associated with the density patches and backscatter bands. The patches originated in, or near, the cusp footprint where they were formed by convection bursts (flow channel events, FCEs) structuring the solar EUV-produced photoionization and the particle-produced auroral/cusp ionization by segmenting it into elongated patches. Just equatorward of the cusp footprint Pc5 field line resonances (FLRs) were observed by magnetometers, riometers and VHF/HF radars. The AC electric field associated with the FLRs resulted in a poleward-progressing zonal flow pattern and backscatter bands. The VHF radar Doppler spectra indicated the presence of steep electron density gradients which, through the gradient drift instability, can lead to the generation of the ionospheric irregularities found in patches. The FLRs and FCEs were associated with poleward-progressing DPY currents (Hall currents modulated by the IMF By) and riometer absorption enhancements. The temporal and spatial characteristics of the VHF backscatter and associated riometer absorptions closely resembled those of poleward moving auroral forms (PMAFs). In the solar wind, IMP 8 observed large amplitude Alfvén waves that were correlated with Pc5 pulsations observed by the ground magnetometers, riometers and radars. It is concluded that the FLRs and FCEs that produced patches were driven by solar wind Alfvén waves coupling to the dayside magnetosphere. During a period of southward IMF the dawn-dusk electric field associated with the Alfvén waves modulated the subsolar magnetic reconnection into pulses that resulted in convection flow bursts mapping to the ionospheric footprint of the cusp.Key words. Ionosphere (polar ionosphere). Magneto- spheric physics (magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions; polar wind-magnetosphere interactions).

Chaotic dynamics of large-amplitude alfvén-wave trains in the solar wind.

2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 771-774 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.A. Borotto ◽  
A.C.-L. Chian ◽  
A.L.C. Gonzalez ◽  
W.D. Gonzalez ◽  
B.T. Tsurutani
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Large Amplitude ◽  
Chaotic Dynamics ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Wave Trains

scholarly journals TURBULENT HEATING OF THE DISTANT SOLAR WIND BY INTERSTELLAR PICKUP PROTONS IN A DECELERATING FLOW

2010 ◽  
Vol 719 (1) ◽  
pp. 716-721 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip A. Isenberg ◽  
Charles W. Smith ◽  
William H. Matthaeus ◽  
John D. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Turbulent Heating

Ion-scale break of the plasma fluctuation spectra in different large-scale solar wind streams

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Riazantseva ◽  
Liudmila Rakhmanova ◽  
Yuri Yermolaev ◽  
Irina Lodkina ◽  
Georgy Zastenker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Plasma Heating ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Magnetic Clouds ◽  
Alfven Wave ◽  
Slow Solar Wind ◽  
P Value ◽  
High Temporal Resolution ◽  
Turbulent Cascade

&lt;p&gt;Appearance of measurements of the interplanetary medium parameters with high temporal resolution gave rise to a variety of investigations of turbulent cascade at ion kinetic scales at which processes of plasma heating was believed to operate. Our recent studies based on high frequency plasma measurements at Spektr-R spacecraft have shown that the turbulent cascade was not stable and dynamically changed depending on the plasma conditions in different large-scale solar wind structures. These changes was most significant at the kinetic scales of the turbulent cascade. Slow undisturbed solar wind was characterized by the consistency of the spectra to the predictions of the kinetic Alfven wave turbulence model. On the other hand, the discrepancy between the model predictions and registered spectra were found in stream interaction regions characterized by crucial steepening of spectra at the kinetic scales with slopes having values up to -(4-5). This discrepancy was clearly shown for plasma compression region Sheath in front of the magnetic clouds and CIR in front of high speed streams associated with coronal holes. Present study is focused on the break preceding the kinetic scales. Currently the characteristic plasma parameters associated with the formation of the break is still debated. Number of studies demonstrated that the break was consistent with distinct characteristic frequencies for different values &amp;#8203;&amp;#8203;of the plasma proton parameter beta &amp;#946;p. Present study consider the ratio between the break frequency determined for ion flux fluctuation spectra according to Spektr-R data and several characteristic plasma frequencies used traditionally in such cases. The value of this ratio is statistically compared for different large-scale solar wind streams. We analyze both the classical spectrum view with two slopes and one break and the spectrum with flattening between magnetohydrodynamic and kinetic scales.&amp;#160; Our results show that for the Sheath and CIR regions characterized typically by &amp;#946;p &amp;#8804;1 the break corresponds statistically to the frequency determined by the proton gyroradius. At the same time such correspondence are not observed either for the undisturbed slow solar wind with similar &amp;#946;p value or for disturbed flows associated with interplanetary manifestations of coronal mass ejections, where &amp;#946;p &lt;&lt; 1. The results also shows that in slow undisturbed solar wind the break is closer to the frequency determined by the inertial proton length. Thus, apparently the transition between streams of different speeds may result in the change of dissipation regimes and plays role in plasma heating at these areas. This work was supported by the RFBR grant No. 19-02-00177a&lt;/p&gt;

Theory and observations of switchbacks’ evolution in the solar wind

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Tenerani ◽  
Marco Velli ◽  
Lorenzo Matteini
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Radial Magnetic Field ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Coronal Activity ◽  
Turbulent Heating ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
Radial Evolution ◽  
Field Correlation

&lt;p&gt;Alfv&amp;#233;nic fluctuations represent the dominant contributions to turbulent fluctuations in the solar wind, especially, but not limited to, the fastest streams with velocity of the order of 600-700 km/s. Alfv&amp;#233;nic fluctuations can contribute to solar wind heating and acceleration via wave pressure and turbulent heating. Observations show that such fluctuations are characterized by a nearly constant magnetic field amplitude, a condition which remains largely to be understood and that may be an indication of how fluctuations evolve and relax in the expanding solar wind. Interestingly, measurements from Parker Solar Probe have shown the ubiquitous and persistent presence of the so-called switchbacks. These are magnetic field lines which are strongly perturbed to the point that they produce local inversions of the radial magnetic field. The corresponding signature of switchbacks in the velocity field is that of local enhancements in the radial speed (or jets) that display the typical velocity-magnetic field correlation that characterizes Alfv&amp;#233;n waves propagating away from the Sun.&amp;#160;While there is not yet a general consensus on what is the origin of switchbacks and their connection to coronal activity, a first necessary step to answer these important questions is to understand how they evolve and how long they can persist in the solar wind. Here we investigate the evolution of switchbacks. We address how their evolution is affected by parametric instabilities and the possible role of expansion, by comparing models with the observed radial evolution of the fluctuations&amp;#8217; amplitude. We finally discuss what are the implications of our results for models of switchback generation and related open questions.&lt;/p&gt;

ALFVÉN WAVE REFLECTION AND HEATING IN CORONAL HOLES: THEORY AND OBSERVATION

1992 ◽  
pp. 117-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.T. Suess ◽  
R.L. Moore ◽  
Z.E. Musielak ◽  
C.-H. An
Keyword(s):  
Wave Reflection ◽  
Coronal Holes ◽  
Alfven Wave
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