Nonlinear vortex dynamics in an inhomogeneous magnetized plasma with a sheared velocity field

Abstract

The long term evolution of a vortex chain generated by the nonlinear development of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability in a magnetized two-fluid plasma with a sheared velocity field is investigated in a two-dimensional configuration. The different roles played by the in-plane magnetic field component and by the density inhomogeneity are elucidated. This investigation is of interest in understanding the plasma dynamics that arises from the nonlinear competition of different plasma instabilities involving the interplay of large and small spatial scales and, in particular, for understanding the mixing mechanism between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetospheric plasmas that occurs at the Earth's magnetospheric flanks.