Generalized dispersive Alfven waves

摘要

Generalized dispersion relations for Alfven waves are derived, accounting for arbitrary values of omega/omega (ci), k perpendicular to rho (i), and k perpendicular to lambda (e): where omega (omega (ci)) is the wave (ion gyro) frequency k(perpendicular to) = 2 pi/lambda (perpendicular to) the perpendicular (to the external magnetic field line) wavenumber and rho (i)(lambda (e)) the ion gyroradius (electron skin depth). Our dispersion relations are appropriate for deducing the relationships of the dispersive (inertial and kinetic) Alfven waves with other plasma modes. The present results can be considered as a prerequisite for understanding some salient features of the broadband eleetromagnetic/electrostatic waves that are frequently observed by the Freja and FAST spacecraft in the auroral zone of the Earth's ionosphere. [References: 20]