Monochromatic Two-Fluid Alfvén Waves in the Partially Ionised Solar Chromosphere

Abstract

AbstractWe present new results towards the explanation of the chromospheric-heating problem and the solar-wind origin, using a two-fluid model that takes into account the collisional interaction between ions (protons) and neutrals (hydrogen atoms). Our aim is to further reveal the mechanism behind chromospheric heating and plasma outflows. We simulate and analyse the propagation and evolution of Alfvén waves in the partially ionised solar chromosphere, consisting of ions + electrons and neutral fluids. The simplified model chromosphere is permeated by a vertical, uniform magnetic field. We perform numerical simulations in the framework of a quasi-1.5-dimensional (1.5D), two-fluid model in which Alfvén waves are excited by a harmonic driver in the transverse component of the ion and neutral velocities, operating in the chromosphere. In the case of a small-amplitude driver, Alfvén waves are weakly damped, and for the chosen wave periods of a few seconds, Alfvén waves manage to propagate through the chromosphere and enter the solar corona. Non-linear Alfvén waves excited by a large-amplitude driver cause significant chromospheric heating and plasma outflows. We thus conclude that two-fluid Alfvén waves with larger amplitudes can contribute to chromospheric heating and plasma outflows, which may result higher up in the solar-wind origin.