Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Modulational instability of finite-amplitude Alfvén waves

  • Letters to the Editor
  • Published:
Astrophysics and Space Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A finite-amplitude plane-polarised Alfvén wave is shown to undergo a modulational instability consequent to its trappping in density cavities which are created by the ponderomotive force associated with the Alfvén wave. The instability arises when the density cavity travels at subsonic speeds.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Al'tshul', L. M.: 1977,Soviet Phys. JETP 46, 454.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belcher, J. W. and Davis, L.: 1971,J. Geophys. Res. 76, 3534.

    Google Scholar 

  • Derby, N. F.: 1978,Astrophys. J. 224, 1013.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldstein, M. L.: 1978,Astrophys. J. 219, 700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasegawa, A.: 1975,Plasma Instabilities and Nonlinear Effects, Springer-Verlag, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ionson, J. A. and Ong, R. S. B.: 1976,Plasma Phys. 18, 809.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lashmore-Davies, C. N.: 1976,Phys. Fluids 19, 587.

    Google Scholar 

  • ter Haar, D, and Tsytovich, V. N.: 1981,Phys. Reports 73, 175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vedenov, A. A. and Rudakov, L. I.: 1965,Soviet Phys. Dokl. 9, 1073.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zakharov, V. E.: 1972,Soviet Phys. JETP 35, 908.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Bhimsen K. Shivamoggi

    Present address: Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Madras, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India

    Bhimsen K. Shivamoggi

Authors
  1. Bhimsen K. Shivamoggi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shivamoggi, B.K. Modulational instability of finite-amplitude Alfvén waves. Astrophys Space Sci 103, 391–393 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00653754

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00653754

Keywords

Search

Navigation