Tsiklauri, D., Nakariakov, V. M. (Valery M.) and Arber, T. D. (2002) A strongly nonlinear Alfvénic pulse in a transversely inhomogeneous medium. Astronomy & Astrophysics, Vol.395 (No.1). pp. 285-292. doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20021266 ISSN 0004-6361.

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Abstract

We investigate the interaction of a plane, linearly polarized, Alfvénic pulse with a one-dimensional, perpendicular to the magnetic field, plasma density inhomogeneity in the strongly nonlinear regime. Our numerical study of the full MHD equations shows that: (i) Plasma density inhomogeneity substantially enhances (by about a factor of 2) the generation of longitudinal compressive waves. (ii) Attained maximal values of the generated transverse compressive perturbations are insensitive to the strength of the plasma density inhomogeneity, plasma and the initial amplitude of the Alfvén wave. Typically, they reach about 40% of the initial Alfvén wave amplitude. (iii) Attained maximal values of the generated relative density perturbations are within 20-40% for . They depend upon plasma strongly; and scale almost linearly with the initial Alfvén wave amplitude.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Physics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Magnetohydrodynamic waves, Solar wind
Journal or Publication Title:	Astronomy & Astrophysics
Publisher:	EDP Sciences
ISSN:	0004-6361
Official Date:	November 2002
Dates:	Date Event November 2002 Published
Volume:	Vol.395
Number:	No.1
Page Range:	pp. 285-292
DOI:	10.1051/0004-6361:20021266
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Funder:	Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (Great Britain) (PPARC)

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