Alfven and magnetosonic vortices in a plasma

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

OSTI ID:6688154

Petviashvili, V I; Pokhotelov, O A

It is shown that Alfven and magnetosonic waves can exist in a plasma in the form of two- and three-dimensional vortices. The dispersion spreading of such vortices is impeded by nonlinear effects. Magnetosonic waves form a toroidal vortex that travels along the magnetic field with Alfven velocity. Nonlinear Alfven waves form along the magnetic field an axially symmetrical waveguide. Inside of which the plasma executes vortical oscillations in the azimuthal direction. MHD vortices of this kind are observed in the earth's magnetosphere.

• Research Organization: O. Yu. Shmidt Institute of Earth Physics, USSR Academy of Sciences
• OSTI ID: 6688154
• Journal Information: Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. Phys. - JETP (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 46:2; ISSN SPHJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
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71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
MAGNETIC FLUX
MAGNETOACOUSTIC WAVES
MAGNETOSPHERE
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
OSCILLATIONS