Localization of linear kinetic Alfvén wave in an inhomogeneous plasma and generation of turbulence

Journal Article · Tue Apr 15 04:00:00 EDT 2014 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4871497· OSTI ID:22253138

Sharma, R. P.; Scime, Earl E. ^[1]; Dwivedi, N. K. ^[2]

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1. Department of Physics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia 26506-6315 (United States)
2. Austrian Academy of Sciences, Space Research Institute, Schmiedlstrasse 6, 8042 Graz (Austria)

This paper presents a model for the propagation of Kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) in inhomogeneous plasma when the inhomogeneity is transverse to the background magnetic field. The semi-analytical technique and numerical simulations have been performed to study the KAW dynamics when plasma inhomogeneity is incorporated in the dynamics. The model equations are solved in order to study the localization of KAW and their magnetic power spectrum which indicates the direct transfer of energy from lower to higher wave numbers. The inhomogeneity scale length plays a very important role in the turbulence generation and its level. The relevance of these investigations to space and laboratory plasmas has also been pointed out.

• OSTI ID: 22253138
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 21; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
EQUATIONS
INHOMOGENEOUS PLASMA
LENGTH
MAGNETIC FIELDS
SPACE
SPECTRA
TURBULENCE