Interpreting Power Anisotropy Measurements in Plasma Turbulence
File(s)Interpreting power anisotropy.pdf (245.04 KB)
Published version
Author(s)
Chen, CHK
Wicks, RT
Horbury, TS
Schekochihin, AA
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
A relationship is derived between power anisotropy and wavevector anisotropy in turbulent fluctuations. This can be used to interpret plasma turbulence measurements, for example, in the solar wind. If fluctuations are spatially anisotropic, then the ion gyroscale break point in measured spectra in the directions parallel and perpendicular to the magnetic field would not occur at the same frequency, and similarly for the electron gyroscale break point. This is an important consideration when interpreting solar wind measurements in terms of anisotropic turbulence theories. Model magnetic field power spectra are presented assuming a cascade of critically balanced Alfvén waves in the inertial range and kinetic Alfvén waves in the dissipation range. The variation of power anisotropy with scale is compared to existing solar wind measurements, and the similarities and differences are discussed.
Date Issued
2010-02-19
Citation
The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 2010, 711 (2), pp.L79-L83
ISSN
2041-8205
Publisher
The American Astronomical Society
Start Page
L79
End Page
L83
Journal / Book Title
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume
711
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2010. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A.
Description
12.12.13 KB. Ok to add published version to spiral. AAS/IOP
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000275418000007&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Astronomy & Astrophysics
magnetic fields
magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)
plasmas
solar wind
turbulence
SOLAR-WIND TURBULENCE
ELECTRON MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC TURBULENCE
STRONG IMBALANCED TURBULENCE
MEAN MAGNETIC-FIELD
ALFVENIC TURBULENCE
MHD TURBULENCE
FLUCTUATIONS
SIMULATIONS
SPECTRA
Publication Status
Published
Coverage Spatial
USA