Test particle study of minor ions in solar wind turbulence
Abstract
We perform a parameter study of the temporal evolution of a test particle distribution function in MHD turbulence. The turbulent fields are calculated using a pseudo-spectral method and periodic boundary conditions on a regular grid of 1803 points, appropriate for incompressible, homogeneous and isotropic turbulence. Initially, the kinetic and the magnetic energy are equal on the average. Both, deterministic and random initial conditions are used, in the former case with zeros of the magnetic field located at grid points, in the latter case located by interpolation between grid points. The evolution of the minor ion distribution function is studied in detail as these turbulent fields evolve, developing strong current and vorticity sheets. Using the full collisionless equation of motion for the test particles, the efficiency of nonlinear interactions can be studied. The results are compared to theoretical predictions and are then discussed in connection with the observations of the dynamical properties of solar wind minor ions derived from in situ observations.
- Publication:
-
Solar Wind Eight
- Pub Date:
- June 1995
- Bibcode:
- 1995sowi.confR..82Z
- Keywords:
-
- Solar Wind;
- Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence;
- Ion Distribution;
- Isotropic Turbulence;
- Homogeneous Turbulence;
- Computational Grids;
- Magnetic Fields;
- Distribution Functions;
- Equations Of Motion;
- Incompressible Flow;
- Kinetic Energy;
- Vorticity;
- Current Sheets;
- Nonlinearity;
- Plasma Interactions;
- In Situ Measurement;
- Boundary Conditions;
- Parameter Identification;
- Spectrum Analysis;
- Solar Physics