Anisotropic and mass-dependent energization of heavy ions by kinetic Alfvén waves

Details Anisotropic and mass-dependent energization of heavy ions by kinetic Alfvén waves Anisotropic and mass-dependent energization of heavy ions by kinetic Alfvén waves

Jun 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006a%26a...452l...7w&link_type=abstract

Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 452, Issue 1, June II 2006, pp.L7-L10

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

21

Acceleration Of Particles, Plasmas, Waves, Sun: Corona

Scientific paper

Context: .Some recent observations of the solar corona suggest that the heavy ions undergo an anisotropic (mainly across the magnetic field) and mass-dependent energization. Aims: .In this work, we investigate the nonlinear interaction of heavy ions with kinetic Alfvén waves, in particular, their energization in the nonlinear kinetic Alfvén waves. Methods: .Based on a three-component plasma model including electrons, protons, and heavy ions, a localized nonlinear structure of kinetic Alfvén wave is presented. In the nonlinear wave, the heavy ions are energized in the cross-field and field-aligned by the perpendicular polarization and the parallel acceleration of the wave electric field. Results: .It is found that the ion cross-field energization depends on its mass and abundance in the same way that the velocity is proportional to the mass-charge ratio and decreases with the abundance ratio. On the other hand, the ion field-aligned energy is proportional to the charge, but is free of the mass and abundance. In the low abundance case (<10%), in particular, the minor heavy ions have strongly anisotropic temperature as well as are hotter and flow faster than protons. The resulting ion-proton temperature ratio is proportional to the mass number and the square of the mass-charge ratio, and the ion perpendicular-parallel temperature ratio is proportional to the cube of the mass-charge ratio. Conclusions: .This anisotropic and mass-dependent energization mechanism by kinetic Alfvén waves for ions can be potentially important for understanding the microphysics of the energization of minor heavy ions observed in the solar corona.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Anisotropic and mass-dependent energization of heavy ions by kinetic Alfvén waves 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 Anisotropic and mass-dependent energization of heavy ions by kinetic Alfvén waves, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Anisotropic and mass-dependent energization of heavy ions by kinetic Alfvén waves will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1855025