Wave propagation in an inhomogeneous anisotropic plasma
- Institute of Space Science, National Central University, Chung-Li, Taiwan (Taiwan, Province of China)
A model is developed for small-amplitude waves propagating in a magnetically structured plasma with anisotropic pressures. Closure of the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations is provided by a pair of polytropic laws, {ital p}{sub {perpendicular}}{rho}{sup {minus}1}{ital B}{sup 1{minus}{gamma}}{sub {perpendicular}}= {ital C}{sub {perpendicular}} and {ital p}{sub {parallel}}{rho}{sup {minus}{gamma}}{sub {parallel}}{ital B}{sup {gamma}}{sub {parallel}{minus}1} = {ital C}{sub {parallel}}, such that for {gamma}{sub {perpendicular}}=2, {gamma}{sub {parallel}}=3 the usual Chew--Goldberger--Low double-adiabatic expressions are recovered and for {gamma}{sub {perpendicular}}=1, {gamma}{sub {parallel}}=1 double-isothermal conditions are obtained [L.-N. Hau and B. U. Oe. Sonnerup, Geophys. Res. Lett. {bold 20}, 1763 (1993)]. The wave equation represents the counterpart of that obtained for the isotropic plasma using the single energy equation, {ital p}{rho}{sup {minus}{gamma}}={ital C}. Two applications are considered: the occurrence of surface waves on a magnetic interface and the field-line resonance. {copyright} {ital 1995} {ital American} {ital Institute} {ital of} {ital Physics}.
- OSTI ID:
- 172163
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 2; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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