Modulational instability of magnetohydrodynamic waves in a plasma

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977 · Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States)

OSTI ID:6666730

Al'tshul', L M

We study the interaction between magnetohydrodynamic waves and a plasma with ..beta..very-much-less-than1. We show that this leads to a modulational instability for the fast magnetosonic waves at a well defined level of oscillation energy. As a result of the development of this instability the particle density and wave energy density start to increase in a certain region. The modulational instability of a beam of almost parallel waves can be stabilized in the weakly non-linear stage and a wave channel is then formed with an increased plasma density to which the waves are confined due to refraction. In the case of an isotropic wave distribution the compression of the plasma may proceed until the energy of the oscillations and of the particles becomes comparable with the energy of the stationary magnetic field. We discuss the possibility of observing the modulational instability of fast magnetosonic waves under natural conditions.

• Research Organization: Novosibirsk State University
• OSTI ID: 6666730
• Journal Information: Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 46:3; ISSN SPHJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
700108 -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Wave Phenomena
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INSTABILITY
LOW-BETA PLASMA
MAGNETOACOUSTIC WAVES
MODULATION
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
WAVE PROPAGATION