Properties of dispersive Alfven waves: 4. Hydrodynamics (finite and high-pressure plasmas)

Abstract

The behavior of dispersive Alfven waves (DAWs) in astrophysical plasmas of finite and high pressure, which have not been considered thus far, is studied in the hydrodynamic approximation. The results are analyzed and compared with those obtained in the kinetic approach. It is shown that one general solution for DAWs in plasmas of finite and high pressure can be obtained using the hydrodynamic approach in contrast to the kinetic one. Kinetic and hydrodynamic solutions correspond to each other very well in a domain with weakly damped DAWs; however, solutions may differ appreciably in some parameter domains, especially in high-pressure plasma. The effect of parameters of the astrophysical medium on the DAW behavior and properties is analyzed. All the main wave characteristics were determined: dispersion, damping, polarization, density perturbations, and charge density perturbations. Since finite-pressure plasma is one of the most frequently encountered states of astrophysical plasma, it is very important to take into account specific features in behavior of these waves for their detecting and a more correct understanding of their behavior and the role they play in different astrophysical processes that occur in space environment.