Coupling of magnetohydrodynamic waves in inhomogeneous magnetic field configurations

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA095iA01p00089· OSTI ID:5254622

Mond, M; Hameiri, E; Hu, P N ^[1]

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1. New York Univ., New York (United States)

In this paper the authors study the resonant coupling of fast magnetosonic waves to the Alfven or slow magnetosonic waves in general geometries. If the magnetic field lines are straight and the Alfven velocity does not vary along them, the linearized magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations exhibit a singularity at a given line which manifests the resonant coupling on that line. However, if the lines are not straight, or if the Alfven velocity does vary along them (or both) no singularity in the linearized MHD equations is apparent. Nonetheless, they show here that the solutions of the linearized MHD equations behave singularly in the neighborhood of an entire field line. This gives rise to the resonant coupling of the fast to the Alfven or slow waves along the entire line. They calculate the solutions near the resonant magnetic field line as well as the nonzero net energy flux across it. The method used is applicable to general geometries and plasma pressures.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-86ER53223
• OSTI ID: 5254622
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 95:A1; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INHOMOGENEOUS FIELDS
INTERACTIONS
MAGNETIC FIELD CONFIGURATIONS
MAGNETOACOUSTIC WAVES
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
PLASMA PRESSURE
SINGULARITY