The Alfven waves are transverse magnetohydrodynamic plasma waves propagating along the magnetic field lines . Caused by low-frequency electromagnetic waves in a plasma propagating along a constant magnetic field [1] . In this case, the plasma also begins to move due to the energy of the electromagnetic field, which leads to a multiple decrease in the wave propagation velocity. Named in honor of the Swedish astrophysicist Hannes Alfven , who predicted their existence in 1942 . The speed of propagation of such waves is given by the formula (in the Gaussian system, [2] ):
They play an important role in the ionosphere of the Earth , the Sun and other astronomical objects . Their study of the Sun is one of the scientific problems of the Parker solar probe [3] .
Notes
- ↑ Elementary plasma physics, 1969 , p. 161.
- ↑ Elementary plasma physics, 1969 , p. 162.
- ↑ Heliophysicists are encouraging: a “burning” mystery has been revealed, which the Sun has hidden from people for 500 years
Literature
- W. Gekelman, S. Vincena, B. Van Compernolle, GJ Morales, JE Maggs, P. Pribyl, and TA Carter. The many faces of shear Alfvén waves (Eng.) // Phys. Plasmas . - 2011. - Vol. 18. - P. 055501. - DOI : 10.1063 / 1.3592210 . (inaccessible link)
- Artsimovich L. A. Elementary plasma physics. - 3rd ed. - M .: Atomizdat , 1969. - 189 p.