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Title: Parametric Decay of Alfvénic Wave Packets in Nonperiodic Low-beta Plasmas

Journal Article · · The Astrophysical Journal
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2]; ORCiD logo [3]
  1. New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM (United States); New Mexico Consortium
  2. New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM (United States)
  3. Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO (United States); Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations

The parametric decay of finite-size Alfvén waves in nonperiodic low-beta plasmas is investigated using one-dimensional (1D) hybrid simulations. Compared with the usual small periodic system, a wave packet in a large system under the absorption boundary condition shows different decay dynamics, including reduced energy transfer, localized density cavitation, and ion heating. The resulting Alfvén wave dynamics are influenced by several factors relating to this instability, including the growth rate, central wave frequency, and unstable bandwidth. A final steady state of the wave packet may be achieved when the instability does not have enough time to develop within the residual packet, and the packet size shows well-defined scaling dependencies on the growth rate, wave amplitude, and plasma beta. Under the proper conditions, enhanced secondary decay can also be excited in the form of a narrow, amplified wave packet. These results may help to interpret laboratory and spacecraft observations of Alfvén waves, and to refine our understanding of the associated energy transport and ion heating.

Research Organization:
New Mexico Consortium, Los Alamos, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231; SC0021237
OSTI ID:
1840983
Journal Information:
The Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: The Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 924; ISSN 0004-637X
Publisher:
IOP PublishingCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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