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We studied dynamical balances in magnetorotational instability (MRI) turbulence with a net vertical field in the shearing box model of disks. Analyzing the turbulence dynamics in Fourier (${\bf k}$-)space, we identified three types of active modes that define turbulence characteristics. These modes have lengths similar to the box size, i.e., lie in the small wavenumber region in Fourier space labeled the vital area and are: (i) the channel mode - uniform in the disk plane with the smallest vertical wavenumber,(ii) the zonal flow mode - azimuthally and vertically uniform with the smallest radial wavenumber and (iii) the rest modes. The rest modes comprise those harmonics in the vital area whose energies reach more than $50 \%$ of the maximum spectral energy. The rest modes individually are not so significant compared to the channel and zonal flow modes, however, the combined action of their multitude is dominant over these two modes. These three mode types are governed by interplay of the linear and nonlinear processes, leading to their interdependent dynamics. The linear processes consist in disk flow nonmodality-modified classical MRI with a net vertical field. The main nonlinear process is transfer of modes over wavevector angles in Fourier space - the transverse cascade. The channel mode exhibits episodic bursts supplied by linear MRI growth, while the nonlinear processes mostly oppose this, draining the channel energy and redistributing it to the rest modes. As for the zonal flow, it does not have a linear source and is fed by nonlinear interactions of the rest modes., Comment: 28 pages, 16 figures, published in ApJ

We investigate magnetohydrodynamic turbulence driven by the magnetorotational instability (MRI) in Keplerian disks with a nonzero net azimuthal magnetic field using shearing box simulations. As distinct from most previous studies, we analyze turbulence dynamics in Fourier (${\bf k}$-) space to understand its sustenance. The linear growth of MRI with azimuthal field has a transient character and is anisotropic in Fourier space, leading to anisotropy of nonlinear processes in Fourier space. As a result, the main nonlinear process appears to be a new type of angular redistribution of modes in Fourier space -- the \emph{nonlinear transverse cascade} -- rather than usual direct/inverse cascade. We demonstrate that the turbulence is sustained by interplay of the linear transient growth of MRI (which is the only energy supply for the turbulence) and the transverse cascade. These two processes operate at large length scales, comparable to box size and the corresponding small wavenumber area, called \emph{vital area} in Fourier space is crucial for the sustenance, while outside the vital area direct cascade dominates. The interplay of the linear and nonlinear processes in Fourier space is generally too intertwined for a vivid schematization. Nevertheless, we reveal the \emph{basic subcycle} of the sustenance that clearly shows synergy of these processes in the self-organization of the magnetized flow system. This synergy is quite robust and persists for the considered different aspect ratios of the simulation boxes. The spectral characteristics of the dynamical processes in these boxes are qualitatively similar, indicating the universality of the sustenance mechanism of the MRI-turbulence., Comment: 32 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

A nonlinear unified fluid model that describes the Equatorial Electrojet, including the Farley-Buneman and gradient-drift plasma instabilities, is defined and shown to be a noncanonical Hamiltonian system. Two geometric constants of motion for the model are obtained and shown to be Casimir invariants. A reformulation of the model shows the roles of the density-gradient scale-length ($L_n$) and the cross-field drift-velocity (${\upsilon}_E$) in controlling the dynamics of unstable modes in the growing, transition, and saturation phases of a simulation.

Progress in understanding the coupling between plasma instabilities in the equatorial electrojet based on a unified fluid model is reported. A deeper understanding of the linear and nonlinear evolution and the coupling of the gradient-drift and Farley-Buneman instabilities is achieved by studying the effect of different combinations of the density-gradient scale-lengths (Ln) and cross-field (E?B) drifts on the plasma turbulence. Mechanisms and channels of energy transfer are illucidated for these multiscale instabilities. Energy for the unified model is examined, including the injected, conservative redistribution (between fields and scales), and ultimate dissipation. Various physical mechanisms involved in the energetics are categorized as sources, sinks, nonlinear transfer, and coupling to show that the system satisfies the fundamental law of energy Oonservation. The physics of the nonlinear transfer terms is studied to identify their roles in producing energy cascades { the transference of energy from the dominant unstable wavenumbers and driving irregularities of different scale-lengths. The theory of two-step energy cascading to generate the 3-meter plasma irregularities in the equatorial electrojet is verified. In addition, the nonlinearity of the system allows the possibility for a reverse energy cascading, responsible for generating large-scale plasma structures at the top of the electrojet., Comment: 48 pages including 12 figures

We find and investigate via numerical simulations self-sustained two-dimensional turbulence in a magnetohydrodynamic flow with a maximally simple configuration: plane, noninflectional (with a constant shear of velocity) and threaded by a parallel uniform background magnetic field. This flow is spectrally stable, so the turbulence is subcritical by nature and hence it can be energetically supported just by transient growth mechanism due to shear flow nonnormality. This mechanism appears to be essentially anisotropic in spectral (wavenumber) plane and operates mainly for spatial Fourier harmonics with streamwise wavenumbers less than a ratio of flow shear to the Alfv\'{e}n speed, $k_y < S/u_A$ (i.e., the Alfv\'{e}n frequency is lower than the shear rate). We focused on the analysis of the character of nonlinear processes and underlying self-sustaining scheme of the turbulence, i.e., on the interplay between linear transient growth and nonlinear processes, in spectral plane. Our study, being concerned with a new type of the energy-injecting process for turbulence -- the transient growth, represents an alternative to the main trends of MHD turbulence research. We find similarity of the nonlinear dynamics to the related dynamics in hydrodynamic flows -- to the \emph{bypass} concept of subcritical turbulence. The essence of the analyzed nonlinear MHD processes appears to be a transverse redistribution of kinetic and magnetic spectral energies in wavenumber plane [as occurs in the related hydrodynamic flow, see Horton et al., Phys. Rev. E {\bf 81}, 066304 (2010)] and differs fundamentally from the existing concepts of (anisotropic direct and inverse) cascade processes in MHD shear flows., Comment: 19 pages, 7 figures, published in Phys. Rev. E 89, 043101 (2014)

Special features of surface gravity waves in deep fluid flow with constant vertical shear of velocity is studied. It is found that the mean flow velocity shear leads to non-trivial modification of surface gravity wave modes dispersive characteristics. Moreover, the shear induces generation of surface gravity waves by internal vortex mode perturbations. The performed analytical and numerical study provides, that surface gravity waves are effectively generated by the internal perturbations at high shear rates. The generation is different for the waves propagating in the different directions. Generation of surface gravity waves propagating along the main flow considerably exceeds the generation of surface gravity waves in the opposite direction for relatively small shear rates, whereas the later wave is generated more effectively for the high shear rates. From the mathematical point of view the wave generation is caused by non self-adjointness of the linear operators that describe the shear flow., Comment: JETP, accepted