Hydromagnetic surface waves

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/156732· OSTI ID:6271668

Wentzel, D G

Plane and filamentary structures aligned with a magnetic field abound on the Sun and in both interplanetary and interstellar space. When the Alfven speed changes across such boundaries, hydromagnetic surface waves can travel along them, carry energy, and provide heating. This paper surveys the nature of such surface waves, with emphasis on the dispersion relations, the spatial extent of the waves, the degree of gas compression, and the possibility of coupling to ordinary hydromagnetic waves. Explicit results are provided for the cases when the gas pressure is either much smaller or much larger than the magnetic pressure on either side of the surface. The waves are shear waves wherever p< or =B/sup 2//8..pi... All surface waves involve finite gas compression, but this compression is negligible when kxBvery-much-less-thankB.

• Research Organization: Astronomy Program, University of Maryland
• OSTI ID: 6271668
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 227:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
ATMOSPHERES
DATA
DATA FORMS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INFORMATION
INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELDS
ISOLATED VALUES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
MECHANICS
NUMERICAL DATA
SOLAR ATMOSPHERE
STARS
SUN