Nonlinear Interaction of Low-frequency Alfvén Waves and Ions

Wu，Xianshu1; Shen，Chao2; Li，Jingchun1; Dong，Jiaqi3; Li，Kehua1

2023-07-01

10.3847/1538-4357/acd642

Astrophysical Journal   Impact Factor & Quartile

0004-637X

1538-4357

The interaction between Alfvén waves and particles is a critical phenomenon in space and laboratory plasmas, and it has been observed that low-frequency Alfvén waves can accelerate and heat ions through subharmonic resonant interactions. In this study, we use test particle simulations to verify the nonlinear heating of parallelly propagating low-frequency Alfvén waves on ions and analyze the underlying process in terms of the Poincaré section. Our results demonstrate that low-frequency Alfvén waves can periodically pick up ions, leading to oscillations of average parallel velocity and temperature of the plasma by phase mixing, ultimately resulting in the stabilization of acceleration. Furthermore, we have developed an analysis that can estimate the time required for heating and accelerating. In the case of multiple waves, our findings indicate that the presence of more chaotic modes does not necessarily result in better wave heating. We have also discussed the effect of random phases on the heating process. Overall, this research sheds light on the crucial role played by the interaction between Alfvén waves and particles in astrophysics and provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying the heating and acceleration of ions through subharmonic resonant interactions with low-frequency Alfvén waves. These findings may have significant implications for the understanding of plasma dynamics in a range of astrophysical environments.

SCI

English

First ; Corresponding

WOS:001022669000001

SPACE SCIENCE

2-s2.0-85164617246

Scopus

1.Department of Earth and Space Sciences,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
2.School of Science,Harbin Institute of Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China
3.Southwestern Institute of Physics,Chengdu,610041,China

Wu，Xianshu,Shen，Chao,Li，Jingchun,et al. Nonlinear Interaction of Low-frequency Alfvén Waves and Ions[J]. Astrophysical Journal,2023,951(2).

Wu，Xianshu,Shen，Chao,Li，Jingchun,Dong，Jiaqi,&Li，Kehua.(2023).Nonlinear Interaction of Low-frequency Alfvén Waves and Ions.Astrophysical Journal,951(2).

Wu，Xianshu,et al."Nonlinear Interaction of Low-frequency Alfvén Waves and Ions".Astrophysical Journal 951.2(2023).