Density Spectrum in the Solar Wind Plasma

Details Density Spectrum in the Solar Wind Plasma Density Spectrum in the Solar Wind Plasma

2009-10-18

arxiv.org/abs/0910.3401v1

Physics

Space Physics

To appear in Monthly Notice of Royal Astronomical Society Journal

Scientific paper

The density fluctuation spectrum in the solar wind reveals a Kolmogorov-like scaling with a spectral slope of -5/3 in wavenumber space. The energy transfer process in the magnetized solar wind, characterized typically by MHD turbulence, over extended length-scales remains an unresolved paradox of modern turbulence theories, raising the question of how a compressible magnetofluid exhibits a turbulent spectrum that is characteristic of an incompressible hydrodynamic fluid. To address these questions, we have undertaken three-dimensional time dependent numerical simulations of a compressible magnetohydrodynamic fluid describing super-Alfv\'enic, supersonic and strongly magnetized plasma fluid. It is shown that a Kolmogorov-like density spectrum can develop by plasma motions that are dominated by Alfv\'enic cascades whereas compressive modes are dissipated.

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