Kinetic Alfven double layer formed by electron viscosity

Journal Article · Sun Jul 15 04:00:00 EDT 2012 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4737199· OSTI ID:22072536

Woo, M H; Ryu, C -M ^[1]; Choi, C R ^[2]

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1. Department of Physics, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784 (Korea, Republic of)
2. Department of Physics, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Taejon 305-701 (Korea, Republic of)

The effect of the electron viscosity on the kinetic Alfven solitary wave is investigated. It is found that small electron viscosity changes the electron motion along the magnetic field producing a boundary layer, and thus that in a low beta electron-ion plasma({beta} Much-Less-Than m{sub e}/m{sub i}), an obliquely propagating kinetic solitary Alfven wave can become a double layer. This double layer can exist in the sub-Alfvenic and super-Alfvenic regimes. The length scale of density drop for this double layer is on the order of that of the conventional kinetic solitary Alfven wave, and thus this double layer can accelerate electrons on a very short length scale.

• OSTI ID: 22072536
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 19; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALFVEN WAVES
BOUNDARY LAYERS
ELECTRONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
PLASMA SHEATH
VISCOSITY