Alfvén vortex filaments observed in magnetosheath downstream of a quasi-perpendicular bow shock

Details Alfvén vortex filaments observed in magnetosheath downstream of a quasi-perpendicular bow shock Alfvén vortex filaments observed in magnetosheath downstream of a quasi-perpendicular bow shock

Dec 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006jgra..11112208a&link_type=abstract

Journal of Geophysical Research, Volume 111, Issue A12, CiteID A12208

Physics

Plasma Physics

31

Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosheath, Space Plasma Physics: Mhd Waves And Instabilities (2149, 2752, 6050), Space Plasma Physics: Neutral Particles (2151), Space Plasma Physics: Turbulence (4490)

Scientific paper

Magnetic field fluctuations in the frequency range [0.02-12.5] Hz are studied with the four Cluster satellites in the Earth magnetosheath downstream of a quasi-perpendicular bow shock. The turbulent spectrum presents a spectral break accompanied by a broad maximum usually interpreted as due to Alfvén ion cyclotron waves. In this paper we establish that this spectral knee corresponds to space-localized coherent magnetic structures in the form of Alfvén vortices. The Alfvén vortex is a nonlinear cylindrical Alfvén wave, quasi-parallel to the mean magnetic field B 0 and propagating in a plane perpendicular to B 0. In this plane the observed vortices are localized within 20c/ω pi . The frequent observations of such structures indicate their stability in the plasma. Therefore the Alfvén vortices can be an important element in the magnetosheath turbulence. The possible origins of these vortices, such as a strong turbulence or the filamentation instability of an Alfvén wave, are discussed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Alfvén vortex filaments observed in magnetosheath downstream of a quasi-perpendicular bow shock does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Alfvén vortex filaments observed in magnetosheath downstream of a quasi-perpendicular bow shock, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Alfvén vortex filaments observed in magnetosheath downstream of a quasi-perpendicular bow shock will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1546933