Kinetic instability of drift-Alfven waves in solar corona and stochastic heating

Details Kinetic instability of drift-Alfven waves in solar corona and stochastic heating Kinetic instability of drift-Alfven waves in solar corona and stochastic heating

2010-07-28

arxiv.org/abs/1007.4973v1

Astrophys. J, vol. 719, 1335 (2010)

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

To appear in ApJ (2010)

Scientific paper

10.1088/0004-637X/719/2/1335

The solar atmosphere is structured and inhomogeneous both horizontally and vertically. The omnipresence of coronal magnetic loops implies gradients of the equilibrium plasma quantities like the density, magnetic field and temperature. These gradients are responsible for the excitation of drift waves that grow both within the two-component fluid description (in the presence of collisions and without it) and within the two-component kinetic descriptions (due to purely kinetic effects). In the present work the effects of the density gradient in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field vector are investigated within the kinetic theory, in both electrostatic and electromagnetic regimes. The electromagnetic regime implies the coupling of the gradient-driven drift wave with the Alfven wave. The growth rates for the two cases are calculated and compared. It is found that, in general, the electrostatic regime is characterized by stronger growth rates, as compared with the electromagnetic perturbations. Also discussed is the stochastic heating associated with the drift wave. The released amount of energy density due to this heating should be more dependent on the magnitude of the background magnetic field than on the coupling of the drift and Alfven waves. The stochastic heating is expected to be much higher in regions with a stronger magnetic field. On the whole, the energy release rate caused by the stochastic heating can be several orders of magnitude above the value presently accepted as necessary for a sustainable coronal heating.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Kinetic instability of drift-Alfven waves in solar corona and stochastic heating 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 Kinetic instability of drift-Alfven waves in solar corona and stochastic heating, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Kinetic instability of drift-Alfven waves in solar corona and stochastic heating will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-74342