Abstract
Two-dimensional hybrid simulations are performed to investigate the
parametric decay of a monochromatic Alfven wave in low beta plasma. Both
the linearly and left-hand polarized pump Alfven waves are considered in
the paper. For the linearly polarized pump Alfven wave, either a
parallel or obliquely propagating wave can lead to the decay along the
perpendicular direction. Initially, the parametric decay takes place
along the propagating direction of the pump wave, and then the decay
occurs in the perpendicular direction. With the increase of the
amplitude and the propagating angle of the pump wave (the angle between
the propagating direction of the pump wave and the ambient magnetic
field), the spectral range of the excited waves becomes broad in the
perpendicular direction. But the effects of the plasma beta on the
spectral range of the excited waves in perpendicular direction are
negligible. However, for the left-hand polarized pump Alfven wave, when
the pump wave propagates along the ambient magnetic field, the
parametric decay occurs nearly along the ambient magnetic field, and
there is no obvious decay in the perpendicular direction. Significant
decay in the perpendicular direction can only be found when the pump
wave propagates obliquely.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 072092 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Physics of Plasmas |
Volume | 20 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 01 Jul 2013 |
Keywords
- plasma Alfven waves
- pasma instability
- plasma simulation
- plasma transport processes