Back to Search Start Over

Density Fluctuation Spectrum of Solar Wind Turbulence between Ion and Electron Scales

Authors :
Chen, C. H. K.
Salem, C. S.
Bonnell, J. W.
Mozer, F. S.
Bale, S. D.
Source :
Phys. Rev. Lett. 109 035001 (2012)
Publication Year :
2012

Abstract

We present a measurement of the spectral index of density fluctuations between ion and electron scales in solar wind turbulence using the EFI instrument on the ARTEMIS spacecraft. The mean spectral index at 1 AU was found to be -2.75 +/- 0.06, steeper than predictions for pure whistler or kinetic Alfven wave turbulence, but consistent with previous magnetic field measurements. The steep spectra are also consistent with expectations of increased intermittency or damping of some of the turbulent energy over this range of scales. Neither the spectral index nor the flattening of the density spectra before ion scales were found to depend on the proximity to the pressure anisotropy instability thresholds, suggesting that they are features inherent to the turbulent cascade.

Details

Database :
arXiv
Journal :
Phys. Rev. Lett. 109 035001 (2012)
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsarx.1205.5063
Document Type :
Working Paper
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.035001