Turbulence generation in the solar corona through nonlinear interaction between 3D kinetic Alfvén wave and magnetic islands

Abstract

Abstract This study investigates the interaction between kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) and magnetic islands in solar corona region. KAWs and magnetic islands are believed to be one of the key players in the heating of the coronal plasma and particle acceleration. We have used the dynamical model for KAWs to simulate its propagation through magnetic islands. The equation is solved numerically by using the finite difference and pseudospectral technique for spatial and temporal variations. The simulation results have been studied and signatures of turbulent structures evolving with time have been observed. Turbulence plays a considerable role in tapping out magnetic energy to thermal energy. The plot of the energy spectrum as a function of wavenumber exhibits a power law behavior in the inertial range, characterized with an exponent around − 5 / 3 . Beyond this range, the spectrum becomes steeper. In order to gain a more thorough knowledge of the physical processes that underlie the development of localized structures and to estimate the current sheet scale sizes, a semi-analytically model is also performed. The results indicate that the size of localized structures are comparable to ion gyro-radius, and different intensities of KAW further modify this length scale formed at different times. The purpose of the study is to acquire an understanding of the KAW propagation in magnetic islands and the way it contributes to the formation of turbulence and energy release in the solar corona. A comparative aspect of the non-linear interaction of 3D KAW with magnetic island and null point is also presented which shows that non-linear interaction of 3D KAW with null point, leads to rapid disorganization of the magnetic field and the creation of localized structures.