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Hybrid magnetohydrodynamic–kinetic model of standing shear Alfvén waves

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 July 2003

PETER A. DAMIANO
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J1 Present address: Mathematical Institute, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9SS, UK. [email protected].
R. D. SYDORA
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J1
J. C. SAMSON
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2J1

Abstract

We have developed a hybrid magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) –kinetic box model valid for standing shear Alfvén waves using the cold plasma MHD equations coupled to a system of kinetic electrons. The guiding centre equations are used for the motion of the electrons and the system is closed via an expression for the field-aligned electric field in terms of the perpendicular electric field and moments of the electron distribution function. The perpendicular electric fields are derived from the ideal MHD approximation. We outline the basic model equations and method of solution. Simulations are then presented comparing the hybrid model results with a cold plasma MHD model. Landau damping is shown to heavily damp the standing shear Alfvén wave in the hybrid simulations when $v_{th} \ge V_{A}$. The damping rate is shown to be in good agreement with the theoretical rate calculated for the model parameters.

Type
Papers
Copyright
2003 Cambridge University Press

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