Parallel electric field generation by Alfvén wave turbulence

Bian, N.H., Kontar, E.P. and Brown, J.C. (2010) Parallel electric field generation by Alfvén wave turbulence. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 519, (doi: 10.1051/0004-6361/201014048)

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Abstract

Aims: This work aims to investigate the spectral structure of the parallel electric field generated by strong anisotropic and balanced Alfvénic turbulence in relation with the problem of electron acceleration from the thermal population in solar flare plasma conditions.<p></p> Methods: We consider anisotropic Alfvénic fluctuations in the presence of a strong background magnetic field. Exploiting this anisotropy, a set of reduced equations governing non-linear, two-fluid plasma dynamics is derived. The low-β limit of this model is used to follow the turbulent cascade of the energy resulting from the non-linear interaction between kinetic Alfvén waves, from the large magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) scales with down to the small “kinetic” scales with , being the ion sound gyroradius.<p></p> Results: Scaling relations are obtained for the magnitude of the turbulent electromagnetic fluctuations, as a function of and , showing that the electric field develops a component parallel to the magnetic field at large MHD scales.<p></p> Conclusions: The spectrum we derive for the parallel electric field fluctuations can be effectively used to model stochastic resonant acceleration and heating of electrons by Alfvén waves in solar flare plasma conditions.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:A114
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Bian, Dr Nicolas Horace and Kontar, Professor Eduard and Brown, Professor John
Authors: Bian, N.H., Kontar, E.P., and Brown, J.C.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Physics and Astronomy
Journal Name:Astronomy and Astrophysics
Publisher:EDP Sciences
ISSN:0004-6361
ISSN (Online):1432-0746
Published Online:21 September 2010
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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
398461Acceleration, propagation and emission of energetic particles from the sun to the earthEduard KontarParticle Physics & Astronomy Research Council (PPARC)PP/C001656/1Physics and Astronomy