Alfvenic tornadoes

2012/09/01 by P. K. Shukla, Shukla, P. K.
Physics and Astronomy · #Ionosphere and magnetosphere dynamics #Magnetic confinement fusion research #Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics #physics.plasm-ph

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1209.0083

13 pages

arxiv created 2012/09/01 · arxiv updated 2012/09/04

Abstract

It is shown that a three-dimensional (3D) modified-kinetic Alfvén waves (m-KAWs) can propagate in the form of Alfvénic tornadoes characterized by plasma density whirls or magnetic flux ropes carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM). By using the two fluid model, together with Ampère's law, we derive the wave equation for a 3D m-KAWs in a magnetoplasma with m_e/m_i ≪ β≪ 1, where m_e (m_i) is the electron (ion) mass, β=4 πn₀ k_B (T_e + T_i)/B₀², n₀ the unperturbed plasma number density, k_B the Boltzmann constant, T_e (T_e) the electron (ion) temperature, and B₀ the strength of the ambient magnetic field. The 3D m-KAW equation admits solutions in the form of a Laguerre-Gauss (LG) Alfvénic vortex beam or Alfvénic tornadoes with plasma density whirls that support the dynamics of Alfvén magnetic flux ropes.

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