Open AccessIdentifying nonlinear wave interactions in plasmas using two‐point measurements: A case study of Short Large Amplitude Magnetic Structures (SLAMS)
Author(s) -
Wit T. Dudok,
Krasnosel'skikh V. V.,
Dunlop M.,
Lühr H.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/1999ja900134
Subject(s) - physics , amplitude , energy cascade , cascade , nonlinear system , computational physics , plasma , magnetic field , shock wave , spacecraft , geophysics , energy (signal processing) , mechanics , quantum electrodynamics , optics , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics , chemistry , chromatography , astronomy
Two fundamental quantities for characterizing nonlinear wave phenomena in plasmas are the spectral energy transfer associated with the energy redistribution between Fourier modes, and the linear growth rate. It is shown how these quantities can be estimated simultaneously from dual‐spacecraft data using Volterra series models. We consider magnetic field data gathered upstream the Earth's quasiparallel bow shock, in which Short Large Amplitude Magnetic Structures (SLAMS) supposedly play a leading role. The analysis attests the dynamic evolution of the SLAMS and reveals an energy cascade toward high‐frequency waves. These results put constraints on possible mechanisms for the shock front formation.