Velocity-space diffusion of solar wind protons in oblique waves and weak turbulence

The fast solar wind is permeated by all kinds of plasma waves which have a broad range of wavelengths and occur on many different scales. Kinetically, a plasma wave induces ion-wave interactions which can within the quasi-linear theory be described as a diffusion process. The impact this diffusio...

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Main Authors: E. Marsch, S. Bourouaine
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2011-11-01
Series:Annales Geophysicae
Online Access:https://www.ann-geophys.net/29/2089/2011/angeo-29-2089-2011.pdf
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author E. Marsch
S. Bourouaine
author_facet E. Marsch
S. Bourouaine
author_sort E. Marsch
collection DOAJ
description The fast solar wind is permeated by all kinds of plasma waves which have a broad range of wavelengths and occur on many different scales. Kinetically, a plasma wave induces ion-wave interactions which can within the quasi-linear theory be described as a diffusion process. The impact this diffusion may have on the shape of the proton velocity distribution function (VDF) is studied. We first analyse theoretically some of the possible kinetic effects of the waves on the ions. Then the model predictions are compared with the detailed in-situ plasma measurements made by the Helios spacecraft on 14 April 1976 at 0.3 AU and found to comply favourably with resonant diffusion of protons in obliquely propagating magnetohydrodynamic waves. In particular, the shape at the edges of the VDFs at positive proton velocities in the wind frame can be well explained by cyclotron-resonant diffusion of the protons in oblique fast magnetoacoustic and Alfvén waves propagating away from the Sun.
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spelling doaj.art-b203278eaf1b44e29c2807d75704c61b2022-12-22T02:38:54ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-05762011-11-01292089209910.5194/angeo-29-2089-2011Velocity-space diffusion of solar wind protons in oblique waves and weak turbulenceE. Marsch0S. Bourouaine1Max-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, Katlenburg-Lindau, GermanyMax-Planck-Institut für Sonnensystemforschung, Katlenburg-Lindau, GermanyThe fast solar wind is permeated by all kinds of plasma waves which have a broad range of wavelengths and occur on many different scales. Kinetically, a plasma wave induces ion-wave interactions which can within the quasi-linear theory be described as a diffusion process. The impact this diffusion may have on the shape of the proton velocity distribution function (VDF) is studied. We first analyse theoretically some of the possible kinetic effects of the waves on the ions. Then the model predictions are compared with the detailed in-situ plasma measurements made by the Helios spacecraft on 14 April 1976 at 0.3 AU and found to comply favourably with resonant diffusion of protons in obliquely propagating magnetohydrodynamic waves. In particular, the shape at the edges of the VDFs at positive proton velocities in the wind frame can be well explained by cyclotron-resonant diffusion of the protons in oblique fast magnetoacoustic and Alfvén waves propagating away from the Sun.https://www.ann-geophys.net/29/2089/2011/angeo-29-2089-2011.pdf
spellingShingle E. Marsch
S. Bourouaine
Velocity-space diffusion of solar wind protons in oblique waves and weak turbulence
Annales Geophysicae
title Velocity-space diffusion of solar wind protons in oblique waves and weak turbulence
title_full Velocity-space diffusion of solar wind protons in oblique waves and weak turbulence
title_fullStr Velocity-space diffusion of solar wind protons in oblique waves and weak turbulence
title_full_unstemmed Velocity-space diffusion of solar wind protons in oblique waves and weak turbulence
title_short Velocity-space diffusion of solar wind protons in oblique waves and weak turbulence
title_sort velocity space diffusion of solar wind protons in oblique waves and weak turbulence
url https://www.ann-geophys.net/29/2089/2011/angeo-29-2089-2011.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT emarsch velocityspacediffusionofsolarwindprotonsinobliquewavesandweakturbulence
AT sbourouaine velocityspacediffusionofsolarwindprotonsinobliquewavesandweakturbulence