Abstract
It has been proposed that dissipation of hydromagnetic waves is an important heat source for the solar corona. We consider damping by collisionless processes and by electron thermal conduction and ion viscosity, and calculate the wave energy density such that heating balances the energy radiated by the plasma. We then analyze the thermal stability of the wave heated medium. The fastest growing instabilities are condensations perpendicular to the fieldlines. The instability may be important for producing coronal fine structure, and in loops and streamers.
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The National Center for Atmospheric Research is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
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Zweibel, E. Thermal stability of a corona heated by fast mode waves. Sol Phys 66, 305–322 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00150587
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00150587