ALFVÉN Waves in Sunspots

Abstract

Some form of non-radiative energy transport appears to be required in sunspots, and the possibility of Alfve'n waves is examined here. A simple sunspot model is constructed in which Alfve'n waves generated in a convectively unstable layer are permitted to propagate upward into an overlying stable layer. In the model investigated, only a very narrow range of physical conditions permits the growth of the waves, and it is concluded that waves of this sort are not likely to contribute significantly to energy transport in sunspots.