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Cross-scale nonlinear coupling and plasma energization by Alfvén waves
1Centre for Plasma Astrophysics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200B, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium. Yuriy.Voitenko@wis.kuleuven.ac.be
Physical Review Letters
|May 21, 2005
Summary
A new mechanism for wave energy transport from large to small scales in plasma has been identified. This process, involving the decay of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Alfvén waves into kinetic Alfvén waves, drives plasma heating and particle acceleration.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Astrophysics
- Space Physics
Background:
- Wave energy transport across scales is crucial for understanding plasma phenomena.
- Existing spectral transport mechanisms have limitations on wave parameters.
- Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Alfvén waves are prevalent in various space plasmas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a novel channel for nonlocal wave energy transport in plasmas.
- To investigate the resonant decay of MHD Alfvén waves into kinetic Alfvén waves.
- To explain plasma heating and particle acceleration observed in space and astrophysical environments.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical analysis of wave-particle interactions.
- Modeling of resonant decay processes.
- Examination of energy transfer from MHD to kinetic scales.
Main Results:
- A new mechanism for nonlocal transport of wave energy from MHD to kinetic scales is presented.
- The resonant decay of MHD Alfvén waves into kinetic Alfvén waves is identified as the key process.
- This mechanism is independent of initial wave numbers and frequencies, offering advantages over previous models.
Conclusions:
- The described decay process provides a superior method for spectral transport.
- Dissipative properties of kinetic Alfvén waves lead to significant plasma heating and particle acceleration.
- This mechanism is relevant to phenomena in the solar corona and terrestrial magnetosphere.