On entropy-maximized velocity distributions in circularly polarized finite amplitude Alfvén waves

Yasuhiro Nariyuki*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

A special solution of the Vlasov-Maxwell system, which represents a circularly polarized Alfvén wave, is derived as an entropy-maximized state. It is shown that Alfvénic correlation between transverse bulk motion and magnetic field given by the entropy-maximized distribution is consistent with the equilibrium point of the single particle system. We demonstrate that as far as the monochromatic, circularly polarized magnetic field is concerned, the resultant distribution may be a relaxed state corresponding to one in the Hall-magnetohydrodynamic system. Stability of the distribution function is numerically discussed by using an ion-hybrid simulation code. Numerical results suggest that the relaxed states in nonmonochromatic waves are different from those in monochromatic waves.

Original languageEnglish
Article number052112
JournalPhysics of Plasmas
Volume18
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011/05

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics

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