Is the Alfven-wave propagation effect important for energy decay in homogeneous MHD turbulence?
- Bartol Research Institute, University of Delaware, Newark (United States)
We investigate the role of three-point decorrelation due to Alfven wave propagation in three-dimensional incompressible homogeneous MHD turbulence. By comparing numerical simulations with theoretical expectations, we have studied how this effect influences the decay of turbulent energy caused by both an external mean magnetic field and the fluctuating turbulent field. Decay is initially suppressed by a mean magnetic field, as expected, but the effect soon saturates. The decay rate does not scale with mean magnetic field for higher values. The disagreement with theoretical predictions can be accounted for by anisotropic spectral transfer. Thus, phenomenological models for energy decay that include decorrelation due to Alfvenic propagation are not substantiated. This work complements our detailed study of various models of energy decay in homogeneous MHD [Hossain et al., 1995].
- OSTI ID:
- 21163502
- Journal Information:
- AIP Conference Proceedings, Vol. 382, Issue 1; Conference: 8. international solar wind conference: Solar wind eight, Dana Point, CA (United States), 25-30 Jun 1995; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.51471; (c) 1996 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0094-243X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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