Skip to main content
Log in

Phase-mixing in Dissipative Alfvén Waves

  • Published:
Solar Physics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The phase-mixing mechanism first proposed as a coronal heating mechanism by Heyvaerts and Priest (1983) is examined using a length-scale analysis adapted from Cally (1991). This allows parameter ranges other than those studied by Heyvaerts and Priest (1983) to be described, together with a detailed examination of the transfer of energy to both longer and shorter length-scales as the Alfvén wave front evolves in the solar corona. The results of Heyvaerts and Priest (1983) are largely confirmed, but with some notable differences. Energy initially at smaller length-scales decays faster than their rate, because the plasma is more strongly dissipative at smaller length-scales. The full inclusion of diffusion across field lines also leads to smoother Alfvén wavefronts.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Browning, P. K. and Priest, E. R.: 1984, Astron. Astrophys. 131, 283

    Google Scholar 

  • Cally, P. S.: 1991, J. Plasma Phys., 45, 453.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harrison, R. A. and Hassler, D.: 1995, in R. A. Harrison and A. Fludra (eds.), ‘Enhanced Line Broadening with Altitude - [BROAD]’, The Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer for the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory: Scientific Report, August 1995.

  • Heyvaerts, J. and Priest, E. R.: 1983, Astron. Astrophys. 117, 220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hood, A. W., Ireland, J., and Priest, E. R.: 1997, Astron. Astrophys., in press.

  • Insley, J., Moore, V., and Harrison, R. A.: 1995, in R. A. Harrison and A. Fludra (eds), ‘Enhanced Line Broadening with Altitude - [BOUND]’, The Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer for the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory: Scientific Report, August 1995.

  • Ionson, J. A.: 1978,, Astrophys. J. 226, 650.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nocera, L., Leroy, B., and Priest, E. R.: 1984, Astron. Astrophys. 133, 387.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson, J. H.: 1965, The Algebraic Eigenvalue Problem, Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ireland, J., Priest, E.R. Phase-mixing in Dissipative Alfvén Waves. Solar Physics 173, 31–51 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004903128146

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004903128146

Keywords

Navigation