Ion‐cyclotron wave dissipation channel for Alfvén waves

Abstract

The effect of inhomogeneous velocity flow on Alfvén wave dynamics in the solar wind is investigated. Unlike existing studies in this field that model energy deposition from high‐frequency waves to solar wind particles, we consider here the possibility of obtaining high‐frequency waves (in this case fast magnetosonic waves) from the ordinary Alfvén wave spectrum. It is shown that the spatial inhomogeneity of the velocity field can lead to dissipation of Alfvén waves through ion‐cyclotron resonance. Recent Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer (UVCS/SOHO) observations indicate that preferential heating and acceleration of heavy ions occurs close to the Sun. The process described here provides a possible interpretation of such solar wind observations.