Phase coherence of foreshock MHD waves: wavelet analysis

The earth's foreshock is a region where particularly large amplitude MHD waves are commonly observed. They exhibit various waveforms, suggesting that nonlinear interaction between the waves is in progress. In a previous paper (Hada et al., 2003) we have introduced a method to quantitatively evaluate the strength of phase coherence among the waves from a given time series data. Here we further develop our method by applying wavelet filtering technique. From the analysis it was found that, although the turbulence is consisted of waves with a wide range of plasma rest frame frequencies, only those frequencies lower than the ion gyrofrequency are responsible for generating the phase coherence. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Resonant MHD Waves in the Solar Atmosphere

The linear theory of MHD resonant waves in inhomogeneous plasmas is reviewed. The review starts from discussing the properties of driven resonant MHD waves. The dissipative solutions in Alfvén and slow dissipative layers are presented. The important concept of connection formulae is introduced. Next, we proceed on to non-stationary resonant MHD waves. The relation between quasi-modes of ideal MHD and eigenmodes of dissipative MHD are discussed. The solution describing the wave motion in non-stationary dissipative layers is given. It is shown that the connection formulae remain valid for non-stationary resonant MHD waves. The initial-value problem for resonant MHD waves is considered. The application of theory of resonant MHD waves to solar physics is discussed.     

Numerical simulation of magnetohydrodynamic shock propagation in the corona

Recent developments in the field of numerical simulation models for the study of shock wave propagation in the corona are presented. These models are based on gasdynamic (GD) and ideal (that is, dissipationless, except at shocks) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) theories. The characteristics and physical interpretations of the results derived from these models are discussed in some detail.The most significant physical results obtained to date are provided by the two-dimensional non-planar, time-dependent, MHD numerical simulation model. In this model, the non-linear interaction among the three essential MHD waves, i.e., fast-, slow-, and Alfvén waves are demonstrated. Finally, the physical relevance of these numerical simulation models in relation to observed solar activity is presented.An invited paper presented at STIP Workshop on Shock Waves in the Solar Corona and Interplanetary Space, 15–19 June, 1980, Smolenice, Czechoslovakia.     

MHD Flow Control of Oblique Shock Waves Around Ramps in Low-temperature Supersonic Flows

This article is devoted to experimental study on the control of the oblique shock wave around the ramp in a low-temperature supersonic flow by means of the magnetohydrodynamic(MHD) flow control technique. The purpose of the experiments is to take advantage of MHD interaction to weaken the oblique shock wave strength by changing the boundary flow characteristics around the ramp. Plasma columns are generated by pulsed direct current(DC) discharge, the magnetic fields are generated by Nd-Fe-B rare-earth permanent magnets and the oblique shock waves in supersonic flow are generated by the ramp. The Lorentz body force effect of MHD interaction on the plasma-induced airflow velocity is verified through particle image velocimetry(PIV) measurements. The experimental results from the supersonic wind tunnel indicate that the MHD flow control can drastically change the flow characteristics of the airflow around the ramp and decrease the ratio of the Pitot pressure after shock wave to that before it by up to 19. 66%, which leads to the decline in oblique shock wave strength. The oblique shock waves in front of the ramp move upstream by the action of the Lorentz body force. The discharge characteristics are analyzed and the MHD interaction time and consumed energy are determined with the help of the pulsed DC discharge images. The interaction parameter corresponding to the boundary layer velocity can reach 1. 3 from the momentum conservation equation. The velocity of the plasma column in the magnetic field is much faster than that in the absence of magnetic field force. The plasma can strike the neutral gas molecules to transfer momentum and accelerate the flow around the ramp.     

MHD Waves and Heating in Coronal Holes

Coronal holes have been identified as source regions of the fast solar wind, and MHD wave activity has been detected in coronal holes by remote sensing, and in situ in fast solar wind streams. I review some of the most suggestive wave observations, and discuss the theoretical aspects of MHD wave heating and solar wind acceleration in coronal holes. I review the results of single fluid 2.5D MHD, as well as multi-fluid 2.5D MHD models of waves in coronal holes, the heating, and the acceleration of the solar wind be these waves.     

基于HLLC格式的理想MHD方程数值模拟

针对理想MHD(magnetohydrodynamics)方程数值求解困难的问题,基于原始的HLLC (Harten-Lax-Van Leer Contact wave)近似黎曼解方法,发展出一种新的适用于理想MHD问题的通量计算格式。控制方程采用有限体积法离散,时间推进采用隐式的LU-SGS（lower-upper symmetric Gauss-Seidel）格式,并且采用双曲型散度清除技术来抑制磁场散度的累积。通过一维激波管问题的数值模拟表明,HLLC-MHD格式能准确的分辨并捕捉复杂的磁流体力学波系结构,保证数值计算的精度,最大的数值计算误差不超过10%;通过二维的Rotor问题的数值模拟研究表明,HLLC-MHD格式能够应用于多维理想MHD问题的数值模拟,并且能够准确捕捉多维情况下磁流场中的阿尔文波;通过对比有、无散度清除的Rotor问题计算结果表明,双曲型散度清除技术可以将磁场散度峰值从50降低到2,有效抑制高磁场散度区域的散度累积,同时也会将误差传播到低散度区域,并且引起边界处散度的累积,影响计算的稳定性。      

Alfvén wave heating

This review discusses Alfvén wave heating in non-uniform plasmas as a possible means for explaining the heating of the solar corona. It focusses on recent analytical results that enable us to understand the basic physics of Alfvén wave heating and help us with the interpretation of results of numerical simulations. First we consider the singular wave solutions that are found in linear ideal MHD at the resonant magnetic surface where the frequency of the wave equals the local Alfvén frequency. Next, we use linear resistive MHD for describing the waves in the dissipative region and explain how dissipation modifies the singular solutions found in linear ideal MHD.     

Synthesis of CME-Associated Moreton and EIT Wave Features from MHD Simulations

Soft X-ray (SXR) waves, EIT waves, and Hα Moreton waves are all associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The knowledge of the characteristics about these waves is crucial for the understanding of CMEs, and hence for the space weather researches. MHD numerical simulation is performed, with the consideration of the quiet Sun atmosphere, to investigate the CME/flare processes. On the basis of the numerical results, SXR, EUV, and Hα images of the eruption are synthesized, where SXR waves, EIT waves, and Hα Moreton waves are identified. It confirms that the EIT waves, which border the expanding dimmming region, are produced by the successive opening (or stretching) of the closed magnetic field lines. Hα Moreton waves are found to propagate outward synchronously with the SXR waves, lagging behind the latter spatially by ～27 Mm in the simulated scenario. However, the EIT wave velocity is only a third of the Moreton wave velocity. The synthesized results also suggest that Hα± 0.45Å would be the best off-band for the detection of Hα Moreton waves.     

Progress, Challenges, and Perspectives of the 3D MHD Numerical Modeling of Oscillations in the Solar Corona

Recent high temporal and spatial resolution satellite observations of the solar corona provide ample evidence of oscillations in coronal structures. The observed waves and oscillations can be used as a diagnostic tool of the poorly known coronal parameters, such as magnetic field, density, and temperature. The emerging field of coronal seismology relies on the interpretation of the various coronal oscillations in terms of theoretically known wave modes, and the comparison of observed and theoretical wave mode properties for the determination of the coronal parameters. However, due to complexity of coronal structures the various modes are coupled, and the application of linear theory of idealized structures to coronal loops and active regions limits the usefulness of such methods. Improved coronal seismology can be achieved by the development of full 3D MHD dynamical model of relevant coronal structures and the oscillation phenomena. In addition to improved accuracy compared to linear analysis, 3D MHD models allow the diagnostic method to include nonlinearity, compressibility, and dissipation. The current progress made with 3D MHD models of waves in the corona is reviewed, and the challenges facing further development of this method are discussed in the perspective of future improvement that will be driven by new high resolution and high cadence satellite data, such as received from Hinode and STEREO, and expected from SDO.     

Review Article: MHD Wave Propagation Near Coronal Null Points of Magnetic Fields

We present a comprehensive review of MHD wave behaviour in the neighbourhood of coronal null points: locations where the magnetic field, and hence the local Alfvén speed, is zero. The behaviour of all three MHD wave modes, i.e. the Alfvén wave and the fast and slow magnetoacoustic waves, has been investigated in the neighbourhood of 2D, 2.5D and (to a certain extent) 3D magnetic null points, for a variety of assumptions, configurations and geometries. In general, it is found that the fast magnetoacoustic wave behaviour is dictated by the Alfvén-speed profile. In a ??=0 plasma, the fast wave is focused towards the null point by a refraction effect and all the wave energy, and thus current density, accumulates close to the null point. Thus, null points will be locations for preferential heating by fast waves. Independently, the Alfvén wave is found to propagate along magnetic fieldlines and is confined to the fieldlines it is generated on. As the wave approaches the null point, it spreads out due to the diverging fieldlines. Eventually, the Alfvén wave accumulates along the separatrices (in 2D) or along the spine or fan-plane (in 3D). Hence, Alfvén wave energy will be preferentially dissipated at these locations. It is clear that the magnetic field plays a fundamental role in the propagation and properties of MHD waves in the neighbourhood of coronal null points. This topic is a fundamental plasma process and results so far have also lead to critical insights into reconnection, mode-coupling, quasi-periodic pulsations and phase-mixing.     

Towards a new paradigm: from a quasi-steady description to a dynamical description of the magnetosphere

A great deal of the research done on the dynamical process of the solar wind- magnetosphere interaction is based on large-scale, quasi-steady theoretical models, such as the classical reconnection model. However, it can be argued that the theoretical and observational foundations of these commonly believed paradigms are not always strong, and support for these models is sometimes weak, controversial or inconsistent. This paper discusses the need for a transition from an oversimplified quasi-steady paradigm towards a more realistic one including the dynamics of MHD waves and wave packets. The effects of localized wave packets may be most important in active plasma regions, where ideal MHD breaks down and localized, time-dependent processes become dominant. New insights into the theories of field-aligned current generation, auroral particle acceleration and the concept of reconnection may be found by including MHD wave propagation and wave packet dynamics.     

双楔面诱导的斜爆轰波阵面的磁流体控制

基于高超声速飞行器爆轰推进发展需要,数值研究了由双楔面诱导的斜爆轰波类型及其磁流体(MHD)控制的可行性,探讨了后楔倾角变化对双楔斜爆轰流场与MHD控制的影响.结果表明:对于前、后楔倾角分别为15°与20°的双楔面诱导的斜爆轰,Lorentz力可以将不同来流马赫数条件下的稳定斜爆轰波阵面恢复到设计位置,并可以使不稳定斜爆轰波趋于稳定,但是,无法将不稳定斜爆轰波恢复到设计位置.而当后楔倾角稍微增加时,若爆轰流场稳定,同样可对斜爆轰波阵面进行有效控制.但当后楔倾角大于25°时,稳定斜爆轰波流场失稳,此时MHD无法控制流场稳定性.但若增加气体反应速率,虽然斜爆轰波不稳定,MHD控制却可使其趋于稳定,但无法将爆轰波阵面恢复到设计位置.      

Coherent nonlinear effects on electromagnetic wave-particle interactions

In many particle simulations and space experiments, the knowledge of nonlinear characteristics of both waves and particles in plasmas is very helpful in the data analysis phase. Such knowledge is needed even more in the designing phase of appropriate diagnostics and probings in both simulations and space experiments. In this tutorial lecture, I will attempt to provide a basic introduction to the fundamental features of coherent nonlinear wave-particle and wave-wave interactions in magnetized plasmas. The present lecture covers only some of the important and basic characteristics in the coherent nonlinear interactions. The main subjects are: (1) trapping dynamics in the electrostatic wave, (2) nonlinear phase trapping and phase bunching in electromagnetic wave both in homogeneous and inhomogeneous plasmas, and (3) coherent three wave interactions.     

Small Scale Alfvénic Structure in the Aurora

This paper presents a comprehensive review of dispersive Alfvén waves in space and laboratory plasmas. We start with linear properties of Alfvén waves and show how the inclusion of ion gyroradius, parallel electron inertia, and finite frequency effects modify the Alfvén wave properties. Detailed discussions of inertial and kinetic Alfvén waves and their polarizations as well as their relations to drift Alfvén waves are presented. Up to date observations of waves and field parameters deduced from the measurements by Freja, Fast, and other spacecraft are summarized. We also present laboratory measurements of dispersive Alfvén waves, that are of most interest to auroral physics. Electron acceleration by Alfvén waves and possible connections of dispersive Alfvén waves with ionospheric-magnetospheric resonator and global field-line resonances are also reviewed. Theoretical efforts are directed on studies of Alfvén resonance cones, generation of dispersive Alfvén waves, as well their nonlinear interactions with the background plasma and self-interaction. Such topics as the dispersive Alfvén wave ponderomotive force, density cavitation, wave modulation/filamentation, and Alfvén wave self-focusing are reviewed. The nonlinear dispersive Alfvén wave studies also include the formation of vortices and their dynamics as well as chaos in Alfvén wave turbulence. Finally, we present a rigorous evaluation of theoretical and experimental investigations and point out applications and future perspectives of auroral Alfvén wave physics.     

Chromospheric and coronal heating mechanisms II

We review the mechanisms which are thought to provide steady heating of chromospheres and coronae. It appears now fairly well established that nonmagnetic chromospheric regions of latetype stars are heated by shock dissipation of acoustic waves which are generated in the stellar surface convection zones. In the case of late-type giants there is additional heating by shocks from pulsational waves. For slowly rotating stars, which have weak or no magnetic fields, these two are the dominant chromospheric heating mechanisms.Except for F-stars, the chromospheric heating of rapidly rotating late-type stars is dominated by magnetic heating either through MHD wave dissipation (AC mechanisms) or through magnetic field dissipation (DC mechanisms). The MHD wave and magnetic field energy comes from fluid motions in the stellar convection zones. Waves are also generated by reconnective events at chromospheric and coronal heights. The high-frequency part of the motion spectrum leads to AC heating, the low frequency part to DC heating. The coronae are almost exclusively heated by magnetic mechanisms. It is not possible to say at the moment whether AC or DC mechanisms are dominant, although presently the DC mechanisms (e.g., nanoflares) appear to be the more important. Only a more detailed study of the formation of and the dissipation in small-scale structures can answer this question.The X-ray emission in early-type stars shows the presence of coronal structures which are very different from those in late-type stars. This emission apparently arises in the hot post-shock regions of gas blobs which are accelerated in the stellar wind by the intense radiation field of these stars.     

Velocity Shear Induced Phenomena in Solar Atmosphere

We present a brief overview of the probable velocity-shear induced phenomena in solar plasma flows. Shear-driven MHD wave oscillations may be the needed mechanism for the generation of solar Alfvén waves, for the transmission of fast waves through the transition region, and for the acceleration of the solar wind. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Heating Diagnostics with MHD Waves

The heating of the solar atmosphere is a fundamental problem of modern solar and astrophysics. A review of the seismological aspects of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves with an emphasis on standing longitudinal waves in the context of coronal heating is presented. Efforts made recently may be split into two categories: forward modelling and data inversion. Forward modelling can be applied to predict the observational footprints of various heating scenarios. A new diagnostic method based on the analysis of Doppler shift time series is outlined with specific application to solar coronal conditions. The power of the method is demonstrated and tested using synthetic data and comparing them with actual high-resolution (e.g. SoHO/SUMER) observations. Further, related recent examples of standing longitudinal oscillations in coronal loop structures observed with the new Hinode/EIS instrument are also presented. These latter observations provide an advanced ground for MHD seismology as a tool for plasma heating diagnostics in the atmosphere of the Sun.     

高精度数值方法与非线性扰动研究

通过数值模拟扰动波在平板边界层中的传播,考察了格式对T-S波传播过程计算的精确性。本文还研究了波-波与涡-涡两种典型的非线性扰动模型,结果表明:在自由剪切层中,波-波模型能加快扰动的增长速度,并激发出了λ结构,但仍然经过了线性失稳阶段;在钝体头部的超声速边界层中,涡-涡模型通过涡-涡相互作用,产生“发卡”结构,进而出现湍流斑。在此过程中,没有线性失稳的迹象。