Coupling modes of hydromagnetic oscillations in non-uniform, finite pressure plasmas: Two-fluids model

Within a framework of the two-fluids approximation, basic modes constituting hydromagnetic coupling oscillations in non-uniform, finite-β plasmas are examined. It is shown that the oscillations consist of a coupling between a localized mode and a propagating one, and a strong peak appears at a resonance point. In the case of isothermal plasma ( T_e = T_i), there are two localized modes, the Alfvén (or drift Alfvén) and the ion drift modes, and a propagating mode being known as the fast magnetosonic wave. Coupling oscillations associated with the Alfvén mode exhibit a nearly incompressible character, whereas those with the ion drift mode are compressional and diamagnetic. Furthermore, the slow magnetosonic wave also couples with the localized mode in the case of T_e > T_i. Based on characteristics of these oscillations, the origin of geomagnetic pulsations is discussed in connection with the distribution of plasma parameters in the outer magnetosphere.