Simulation of amplitude-modulated circularly polarized Alfven waves for beta less than one

Journal Article · Wed Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA092iA07p07413· OSTI ID:6289060

Machida, S; Spangler, S R; Goertz, C K

We study the nonlinear properties of the amplitude-modulated circulary polarized Alfven wave for US <1. The temporal behavior of the wave packet of the electromagnetic hybrid simulation is compared with a numerical solution of the derivative nonlinear Schroedinger (DNLS) equation. It is shown that the left-hand-polarized mode evolves into a shocklike structure due to the modulational instability. However, both cyclotron damping and a snowplow effect near the steepened wave packet suppress its further steepening, contrary to the predictions of the DNLS equation. For the right-hand mode, formation of the shock does not take place, and the initial time development is well described by the DNLS equation. The daughter Alfven wave and ion acoustic waves are excited due to the decay instability at a later time. Heating or acceleration of the particles takes place for both left- and right-hand waves. Energy transfer from the wave to the particles occurs effectively when substantial modulation in the wave amplitude is present. The significance of this result is briefly discussed. copyright American Geophysical Union 1987

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Iowa, Iowa City
• OSTI ID: 6289060
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 92:A7; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
ALFVEN WAVES
HEATING
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INTERPLANETARY MAGNETIC FIELDS
LOW-BETA PLASMA
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLASMA
PLASMA ACCELERATION
PLASMA HEATING
POLARIZATION
SHOCK WAVES
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
WAVE PROPAGATION