Weak turbulence in two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics

Abstract

A weak wave turbulence theory is developed for two-dimensional (2D) magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). We derive and analyze the kinetic equation describing the three-wave interactions of pseudo-Alfv\'en waves. Our analysis is greatly helped by the fortunate fact that in 2D the wave-kinetic equation is integrable. In contrast with the 3D case, in 2D the wave interactions are nonlocal. Another distinct feature is that strong derivatives of spectra tend to appear in the region of small parallel (i.e. along the uniform magnetic field direction) wavenumbers leading to a breakdown of the weak turbulence description in this region. We develop a qualitative theory beyond weak turbulence describing subsequent evolution and formation of a steady state.