On entropy-maximized velocity distributions in circularly polarized finite amplitude Alfven waves

Journal Article · Sun May 15 00:00:00 EDT 2011 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3590857· OSTI ID:21537794

Nariyuki, Yasuhiro ^[1]

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1. Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Science, Kochi National College of Technology, Nankoku City, Kochi 783-8508 (Japan)

A special solution of the Vlasov-Maxwell system, which represents a circularly polarized Alfven wave, is derived as an entropy-maximized state. It is shown that Alfvenic correlation between transverse bulk motion and magnetic field given by the entropy-maximized distribution is consistent with the equilibrium point of the single particle system. We demonstrate that as far as the monochromatic, circularly polarized magnetic field is concerned, the resultant distribution may be a relaxed state corresponding to one in the Hall-magnetohydrodynamic system. Stability of the distribution function is numerically discussed by using an ion-hybrid simulation code. Numerical results suggest that the relaxed states in nonmonochromatic waves are different from those in monochromatic waves.

• OSTI ID: 21537794
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 18, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1063/1.3590857; (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALFVEN WAVES
DISTRIBUTION
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ENTROPY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MONOCHROMATIC RADIATION
PLASMA SIMULATION
VELOCITY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUID MECHANICS
FUNCTIONS
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
MECHANICS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SIMULATION
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES