On electron heat conduction in the solar wind
Abstract
First, it is pointed out that Perkins' work on the helioclassical electron conductivity in the solar wind is missing an important term. This term essentially removes Perkins' helioclassical reduction of the heat flux below the classical Spitzer-Härm value. Second, a speculative discussion of an alternative approach is presented. It is argued that heat current instabilities may be effective in substantially reducing the heat flux, and approximate formulas are presented for the heat flux when the instabilities are operating. However, these formulas must be regarded merely as speculations as to the end result of a difficult and as yet unsolved problem in nonlinear plasma physics.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Geophysical Research
- Pub Date:
- 1974
- DOI:
- 10.1029/JA079i025p03845
- Bibcode:
- 1974JGR....79.3845H
- Keywords:
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- Particles and Fields-Interplanetary Space: Solar wind plasma