Slow magnetosonic wave absorption by pressure induced ionization–recombination dissipation

A new mechanism for damping of slow magnetosonic waves (SMWs) by pressure induced oscillations of the ionization degree is proposed. An explicit formula for the damping rate is quantitatively derived. Physical conditions where the new mechanism will dominate are briefly discussed. For high frequenci...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics of plasmas 2020-11, Vol.27 (11), p.112109
Main Authors: Mishonov, Todor M., Varonov, Albert M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Angular distribution
Damping
Ionization
Magnetohydrodynamics
Plasma physics
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Summary:A new mechanism for damping of slow magnetosonic waves (SMWs) by pressure induced oscillations of the ionization degree is proposed. An explicit formula for the damping rate is quantitatively derived. Physical conditions where the new mechanism will dominate are briefly discussed. For high frequencies, the ionization–recombination damping is frequency independent according to the Mandelstam–Leontovich theory. The derived damping rate is proportional to the square of the sine between the constant magnetic field and the wave-vector. The angular distribution of the spectral density of SMWs and Alfvén waves passing through large regions of partially ionized plasma is qualitatively considered. The calculated damping rate is expressed by the electron impact cross section of the hydrogen atom, and in short, all details of the proposed damping mechanisms are well studied.
ISSN:1070-664X
1089-7674
DOI:10.1063/5.0013983