scholarly journals Multi-channel coupling of decay instability in three-dimensional low-beta plasma

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 835-842 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horia Comişel ◽  
Yasuhito Narita ◽  
Uwe Motschmann

Abstract. Three-dimensional hybrid simulations have been carried out to verify the hypothesis of simultaneous multi-channel decay of a large-amplitude Alfvén wave in a low-beta plasma, e.g., in the shock-upstream region or the solar corona. Obliquely propagating daughter modes are excited along the perpendicular direction to the mean magnetic field at the same parallel wavenumbers and frequencies as the daughter modes driven by the field-aligned decay. We find that the transversal spectrum of waves is controlled by the multi-channel coupling of the decay process in low-beta plasmas and originates in the dispersion state of the shear Alfvén wave.

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horia Comişel ◽  
Yasuhito Narita ◽  
Uwe Motschmann

Abstract. Three-dimensional hybrid simulations have been carried out to verify the hypothesis of simultaneous multi-channel decay of a large-amplitude Alfvén wave in a low-beta plasma, e.g., in the shock-upstream region or the solar corona. Obliquely-propagating daughter modes are excited along the perpendicular direction to the mean magnetic field at the same parallel wavenumbers and frequencies with the daughter modes driven by the field-aligned decay. We find that the transversal spectrum of waves is controlled by the multi-channel coupling of the decay process in low-beta plasmas and originates in the dispersion state of the shear Alfvén wave.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 1647-1655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Horia Comişel ◽  
Yasuhiro Nariyuki ◽  
Yasuhito Narita ◽  
Uwe Motschmann

Abstract. By three-dimensional hybrid simulations, proton heating is investigated starting from a monochromatic large-amplitude Alfvén wave with left-handed circular polarization launched along the mean magnetic field in a low-beta plasma. We find that the perpendicular scattering is efficient in three dimensions and the protons are heated by the obliquely propagating waves. The thermal core proton population is heated in three dimensions as well in the longitudinal and parallel directions by the field-aligned and obliquely propagating sound waves out of the parametric decay. The astrophysical context is discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 87 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred Mallet ◽  
Benjamin D.G. Chandran

We show that large-amplitude, non-planar, Alfvén-wave (AW) packets are exact nonlinear solutions of the relativistic magnetohydrodynamic equations when the total magnetic-field strength in the local fluid rest frame ( $b$ ) is a constant. We derive analytic expressions relating the components of the fluctuating velocity and magnetic field. We also show that these constant- $b$ AWs propagate without distortion at the relativistic Alfvén velocity and never steepen into shocks. These findings and the observed abundance of large-amplitude, constant- $b$ AWs in the solar wind suggest that such waves may be present in relativistic outflows around compact astrophysical objects.


2001 ◽  
Vol 203 ◽  
pp. 353-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Nakariakov

Recent discoveries of MHD wave motions in the solar corona done with EUV imaging telescopes onboard SOHO and TRACE provide an observational basis for the MHD seismology of the corona. Measuring the properties of MHD waves and oscillations (periods, wavelengths, amplitudes, temporal and spatial signatures), combined with theoretical modeling of the wave phenomena, allow us to determine values of the mean parameters of the corona (the magnetic field strength, transport coefficients, etc.). As an example, we consider post-flare decaying oscillations of loops, observed with TRACE (14th July 1998 at 12:55 UT). An analysis of the oscillations shows that they are quasi-harmonic, with a period of about 265 s, and quickly decaying with the decay time of about 14.5 min. The period of oscillations allows us to determine the Alfvén speed in the oscillating loop about 770 km/s. This value can be used for deduction of the value of the magnetic field in the loop (giving 10-30 G). The decay time, in the assumption that the decay is caused by viscous (or resistive) dissipation, gives us the Reynolds number of 105.3-6.1 (or the Lundquist number of 105.0-5.8).


The first part of the paper is a physical discussion of the way in which a magnetic field affects the stability of a fluid in motion. Particular emphasis is given to how the magnetic field affects the interaction of the disturbance with the mean motion. The second part is an analysis of the stability of plane parallel flows of fluids with finite viscosity and conductivity under the action of uniform parallel magnetic fields. We show that, in general, three-dimensional disturbances are the most unstable, thus disagreeing with the conclusion of Michael (1953) and Stuart (1954). We show how results obtained for two-dimensional disturbances can be used to calculate the most unstable three-dimensional disturbances and thence we prove that a parallel magnetic field can never completely stabilize a parallel flow.


1991 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adolfo F. Viñas ◽  
Melvyn L. Goldstein

We investigate the parametric decay and modulational instabilities of a large-amplitude circularly polarized dispersive Alfvén wave. Our treatment is more general than that of previous derivations based on the two-fluid equations in that we allow for propagation of the unstable daughter waves at arbitrary angles to the background magnetic field, although our main concern in this paper is the exploration of new aspects of propagation parallel to the DC magnetic field. In addition to the well-known coupling of pump waves to electrostatic daughter waves, we find a new parametric channel where the pump wave couples directly to electromagnetic daughter waves. Excitation of the electromagnetic instability occurs only for modulation (k/k0 ≤ 1) and not for decay (k/k0 < 1). In contrast with the modulational instability excited by the electrostatic coupling, the electromagnetic modulational instability exists for both left-hand (K > 0) and right-hand (K < 0) polarization. For large k/k0, the electromagnetic channel dominates, while at lower values the electrostatic channel has a larger growth rate for modest values of dispersion, pump-wave amplitude and plasma β. Unlike the electrostatic modulational instability, the growth rate of the electromagnetic instability increases monotonically with increasing pump wave amplitude. This analysis confirms that, for decay, the dominant process is coupling to electrostatic daughter waves, at least for parallel propagation. For modulation, the coupling to electromagnetic daughter waves usually dominates, suggesting that the parametric modulational instability is really an electromagnetic phenomenon.


1990 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew N. Wright

In a cold plasma with no compressional field perturbation the equations governing the two perpendicular components of magnetic-field perturbation decouple. These two equations depend only upon spatial derivatives along the background magnetic field, and give the impression of independent field-line motion in the two transverse directions. However, the perturbation magnetic field b must be divergence-free. It is not meaningful to ask if the field perturbation on an individual background line of force satisfies ∇. b = 0. To decide whether b is divergence-free, we need to know about its spatial variation, i.e. what the state of the neighbouring field lines is. In this paper we investigate two classes of solutions: first we allow the perturbation magnetic flux to satisfy ∇. b = 0 by threading across the background lines of force; the second solution closes b by allowing the perturbation flux to encircle the background field lines (torsional Alfvén waves). For both of these solutions we study the relationship between neighbouring field lines, and are able to derive a set of criteria that the background medium must satisfy. For both classes we find restrictions upon the background magnetic-field geometry - the first class also has a constraint upon the plasma density. The introduction of perfectly conducting massive boundaries is also considered, and a relation given that they must satisfy if the field perturbation is to remain transverse. The criteria are presented in such a manner that it is easy to test if a given medium will be able to support the solutions described above. For example, a three-dimensional dipolo geometry is able to carry oscillatory toroidal fields; but not purely poloidal ones or a torsional Alfvén wave.


1997 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
RUSSELL B. DAHLBURG

Electric current sheets develop in the solar corona when different flux systems come into contact. At these sheets magnetic energy is transformed into heat and kinetic energy by means of reconnection. We have previously demonstrated how to accelerate neutral sheet energy conversion by means of a transition to turbulent reconnection via ideal, three-dimensional secondary instabilities, as conjectured by Montgomery. In this paper we describe how our previous results are modified by the presence of a finite mean sheetwise magnetic field. We find a stabilization from this field, due to a decrease in energy transfer from the basic magnetic field to the three-dimensional perturbed fields. An increase in perturbed dissipative energy losses is also observed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 3-11
Author(s):  
Sergey Anfinogentov ◽  
Tatyana Kaltman ◽  
Alexey Stupishin ◽  
Valery Nakariakov ◽  
Maria Lukitcheva

The paper discusses the diagnostics of plasma jets in the solar corona with the use of data from modern space- and ground-based telescopes observing the Sun in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and micro- wave bands. We examine observational parameters of EUV and radio emission in events associated with plasma jets, depending on the mechanism of formation, initiation conditions, and evolution of the jets. The opportunities provided by the study of plasma jets, which relies on simultaneous observations in different bands, are highlighted. For a number of jets, we have measured their primary parameters; and in this paper we present preliminary results of statistical processing of the data obtained. Microwave observations of several specific events, made by ground-based instruments RATAN-600, SRH, and Nobeyama Radioheliograph, are considered in detail. The diagnostic capabilities of these instruments for studying coronal jets are shown. To analyze the three-dimensional structure of the coronal magnetic field, we have used SDO/HMI data, which allowed for the reconstruction of the field in the lower corona. The information gained is compared with the results of diagnostics of the magnetic field at the base of the corona according to RATAN-600 data. The purpose of the methods developed is to determine the physical mechanisms responsible for the generation, collimation, and dynamics of plasma jets in the solar atmosphere.


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