Fluid models for kinetic effects on coherent nonlinear Alfven waves. II. Numerical solutions

Journal Article · Thu May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1997 · Physics of Plasmas

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.872356· OSTI ID:544559

Medvedev, M V ^[1]; Shevchenko, V I ^[2]; Diamond, P H ^[1]; 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 influence of various kinetic effects (e.g., Landau damping, diffusive and collisional dissipation, and finite Larmor radius terms) on the nonlinear evolution of finite amplitude Alfvenic wave trains in a finite-{beta} environment is systematically investigated using a novel, kinetic nonlinear Schroedinger (KNLS) equation. The dynamics of Alfven waves is sensitive to the sense of polarization as well as the angle of propagation with respect to the ambient magnetic field. Numerical solution for the case with Landau damping reveals the formation of dissipative structures, which are quasi-stationary, S-polarized directional (and rotational) discontinuities which self-organize from parallel propagating, linearly polarized waves. Parallel propagating circularly polarized packets evolve to a few circularly polarized Alfven harmonics on large scales. Stationary arc-polarized rotational discontinuities form from obliquely propagating waves. Collisional dissipation, even if weak, introduces enhanced wave damping when {beta} is very close to unity. Cyclotron motion effects on resonant particle interactions introduce cyclotron resonance into the nonlinear Alfv{acute e}n wave dynamics. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}

• OSTI ID: 544559
• Journal Information: Physics of Plasmas, Journal Name: Physics of Plasmas Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 4; ISSN PHPAEN; ISSN 1070-664X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ALFVEN WAVES
COLLISIONAL PLASMA
CYCLOTRON RESONANCE
DAMPING
INSTABILITY GROWTH RATES
ION CYCLOTRON-RESONANCE
LANDAU DAMPING
LARMOR RADIUS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
POLARIZATION
SCHROEDINGER EQUATION
WAVE PROPAGATION