Nonlinear Alfven waves in high-speed solar wind streams

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA082i004p00618· OSTI ID:7312374

Abraham-Shrauner, B; Feldman, W C

A nonlinear proton distribution function that is an exact stationary solution of the nonlinear Vlasov equation and Maxwell's equations and which supports a single nonlinear transverse Alfven (ion cyclotron) wave that is circularly polarized and nondisprsive is proposed for most of the observations during high-speed solar wind streams. This nonlinear distribution removes the strong Alfven wave instability, inconsistent with the persistence of the observed proton distribution functions in high-speed streams, found by the linear stability analysis. Model temperature anisotropies and drift velocities of the two spatially inhomogeneous bi-Maxwellian components are consistent with typical proton velocity distributions measured in high-speed streams at 1 AU. Two derived relations for each of the wave number and the phase velocity of the wave are obeyed within experimental uncertainties by two typical proton measurements. Our model also predicts that the alpha particle bulk flow velocity exceeds the proton particle bulk flow velocity, as is observed.

• Research Organization: University of California, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 7312374
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 82:4; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640104* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Solar Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ALFVEN WAVES
BARYONS
BOLTZMANN-VLASOV EQUATION
COSMIC PROTONS
COSMIC RADIATION
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION FUNCTIONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
EQUATIONS
FERMIONS
HADRONS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INSTABILITY
IONIZING RADIATIONS
NUCLEONS
PLASMA INSTABILITY
PROTONS
RADIATIONS
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION