Nonlinear evolution of astrophysical Alfven waves

Technical Report · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5478072

Spangler, S R

Nonlinear Alfven waves were studied using the derivative nonlinear Schrodinger equation as a model. The evolution of initial conditions, such as envelope solitons, amplitude-modulated waves, and band-limited noise was investigated. The last two furnish models for naturally occurring Alfven waves in an astrophysical plasma. A collapse instability in which a wave packet becomes more intense and of smaller spatial extent was analyzed. It is argued that this instability leads to enhanced plasma heating. In studies in which the waves are amplified by an electron beam, the instability tends to modestly inhibit wave growth. (ESA)

• Research Organization: Iowa Univ., Iowa City (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5478072
• Report Number(s): N-85-22294
• Resource Relation: Other Information: In ESA, plasma astrophys., 197-200 p., (N--85-22270 12-90)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC GASES
ALFVEN WAVES
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
SCHROEDINGER EQUATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INSTABILITY
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
WAVE EQUATIONS
640100* - Astrophysics & Cosmology