Dissipative Dynamics of Collisionless Nonlinear Alfv{acute e}n Wave Trains

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.78.4934· OSTI ID:531878

Medvedev, M V; Diamond, P H ^[1]; Shevchenko, V I ^[2]; Galinsky, V L ^[3]

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1. Physics Department, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0319 (United States)
2. Electrical Computer Engineering Department, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0407 (United States)
3. Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093-0210 (United States)

The nonlinear dynamics of collisionless Alfv{grave e}n trains, including resonant particle effects, is studied using the kinetic nonlinear Schr{umlt o}dinger (KNLS) equation model. Numerical solutions of the KNLS reveal the dynamics of Alfv{acute e}n waves to be sensitive to the sense of polarization as well as the angle of propagation with respect to the ambient magnetic field. The combined effects of both wave nonlinearity and Landau damping result in the evolutionary formation of {ital stationary} S - and arc-polarized directional and rotational discontinuities. These wave forms are frequently observed in the interplanetary plasma. {copyright} {ital 1997 } {ital The American Physical Society}

• Research Organization: University of California
• DOE Contract Number: FG03-88ER53275
• OSTI ID: 531878
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 26 Vol. 78; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALFVEN WAVES
COLLISIONLESS PLASMA
DYNAMICS
LANDAU DAMPING
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
POLARIZATION
SCHROEDINGER EQUATION
WAVE PROPAGATION