Nonlinear interaction of proton whistler with kinetic Alfvén wave to study solar wind turbulence

Journal Article · Sun Dec 15 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4849457· OSTI ID:22218336

Goyal, R.; Sharma, R. P. ^[1]; Goldstein, M. L. ^[2]; Dwivedi, N. K. ^[3]

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1. Centre for Energy Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi-110016 (India)
2. NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre, Code 673, Greenbelt, Maryland 20771 (United States)
3. Austrian Academy of Sciences, Space Research Institute, Schmiedlstrasse 6, 8042 Graz (Austria)

This paper presents the nonlinear interaction between small but finite amplitude kinetic Alfvén wave (KAW) and proton whistler wave using two-fluid model in intermediate beta plasma, applicable to solar wind. The nonlinearity is introduced by modification in the background density. This change in density is attributed to the nonlinear ponderomotive force due to KAW. The solutions of the model equations, governing the nonlinear interaction (and its effect on the formation of localized structures), have been obtained using semi-analytical method in solar wind at 1AU. It is concluded that the KAW properties significantly affect the threshold field required for the filament formation and their critical size (for proton whistler). The magnetic and electric field power spectra have been obtained and their relevance with the recent observations of solar wind turbulence by Cluster spacecraft has been pointed out.

• OSTI ID: 22218336
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 20; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
ASTROPHYSICS
BETA RATIO
CRITICAL SIZE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETISM
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA FILAMENT
PONDEROMOTIVE FORCE
PROTONS
SOLAR WIND
TURBULENCE
WHISTLERS