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Re-ionization of a partially ionized plasma by an Alfvén wave of moderate amplitude

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 March 2009

M. H. Brennan  and
M. L. Sawley
M. H. Brennan
Affiliation:
School of Physical Sciences, The Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, S.A. 5042
M. L. Sawley
Affiliation:
School of Physical Sciences, The Flinders University of South Australia, Bedford Park, S.A. 5042
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Abstract

This paper reports on the use of forced magneto-acoustic oscillations to investigate the effect of a torsional hydromagnetic (Alfvén) wave pulse of moderate amplitude on the properties of a partially ionized afterglow helium plasma. Observations of the magnetic flux associated with the oscillations, measured at a number of frequencies, are used to determine radial density proffles and to provide estimates of plasma temperature. The torsional wave is shown to cause significant re-ionization of the plasma with no corresponding increase in the plasma temperature. The torsional wave is shown to cause significant re-ionization of the plasma with no corresponding increase in the plasma temperature. However, the presence of a number of energetic particles is evidenced by the production of a significant number of doubly charged helium ions.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Plasma Physics , Volume 24 , Issue 1 , August 1980 , pp. 65 - 74
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1980

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References

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