On the widespread use of the Corrsin hypothesis in diffusion theories

Abstract

In the past four decades, several nonlinear theories have been developed to describe (i) the motion of charged test particles through a turbulent magnetized plasma and (ii) the random walk of magnetic field lines. In many such theories, the so-called Corrsin independence hypothesis has been applied to enforce analytical tractability. In this note, it is shown that the Corrsin hypothesis is part of most nonlinear diffusion theories. In some cases, the Corrsin approximation is somewhat hidden, while in other cases a different name is used for the same approach. It is shown that even the researchers who criticized the application of this hypothesis have used it in their nonlinear diffusion theories. It is hoped that the present article will eliminate the recently caused confusion about the applicability and validity of the Corrsin hypothesis.