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The interaction of homogeneous wave turbulence and a magnetohydrodynamic tangential discontinuity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

Christopher K. W. Tam
Christopher K. W. Tam
Affiliation:
Laboratory for Plasma Physics and Space Sciences, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Extract

The interaction of homogeneous wave turbulence and a magnetohydrodynamic tangential discontinuity is studied. Attention is focused on the turbulent shear stress produced as a result of such an interaction. A magnetohydrodynamic description is used which is believed to be adequate for plasma problems in interplanetary space. As a model for wave turbulence, it is assumed that the turbulent wave field is made up of the seven modes of magnetohydrodynamic waves. They are the entropy waves, the Alfvn waves (two independent modes), the fast and slow waves (each with two independent modes). It is found that to a first approximation the turbulent shear stress acting on the surface of discontinuity is linearly proportional to the energy density of the fluctuating magnetic field and to the kinetic energy density of the plasma fluctuations. On applying the present theory to the problem of interaction between the turbulent waves in the magnetosheath and the magnetopause, it is found that the turbulent shear stress produced is too weak to produce any large-scale internal magnetospheric convection as was previously contemplated.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , March 1971 , pp. 265 - 274
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1971

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