The Evolution of Very Small-Scale Cross-Field Structures Interacting With Very Low-Frequency Alfven Waves

Details The Evolution of Very Small-Scale Cross-Field Structures Interacting With Very Low-Frequency Alfven Waves The Evolution of Very Small-Scale Cross-Field Structures Interacting With Very Low-Frequency Alfven Waves

May 2001

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001agusm..sh41b16v&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Spring Meeting 2001, abstract #SH41B-16

Mathematics

Logic

2149 Mhd Waves And Turbulence, 7827 Kinetic And Mhd Theory, 7843 Numerical Simulation Studies, 7863 Turbulence

Scientific paper

We examine the affects of very low-frequency Alfven waves in an energy containing range on well separated and very small length scales in the inertial and dissipative ranges. These waves cause dynamics at the smallest scales which can mimic quasi-2-D dynamics without restriction on the wave vector direction of the Alfven waves. Using a hybrid code, we have followed the evolution of Alfven waves and cross-field structures with scales of the ion inertial length. Despite background gradients of the Alfven speed, the Alfven waves are not resonantly absorbed. Instead, the cross-field structures are advected and undergo topological changes. We compare simulation results with solutions of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations using the method of characteristics which show good agreement. We also examine the scales below ion inertial length where parallel electric fields become important and where drift waves develop. In the solar wind, Alfvenic fluctuations can have very low frequencies and are well separated from the inertial and dissipative ranges. In a spherically expanding solar wind, it is difficult to restrict their wave vectors to quasi-perpendicular directions. We find that these fluctuations can behave compressively (k∥ ~ kperpendicular to ), while forcing quasi-2-D and weakly compressive dynamics on very small scales.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Evolution of Very Small-Scale Cross-Field Structures Interacting With Very Low-Frequency Alfven 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 The Evolution of Very Small-Scale Cross-Field Structures Interacting With Very Low-Frequency Alfven Waves, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Evolution of Very Small-Scale Cross-Field Structures Interacting With Very Low-Frequency Alfven Waves will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1275095