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Klein-Gordon equation and reflection of Alfven waves in nonuniform mediaA new analytical approach is presented for assessing the reflection of linear Alfven waves in smoothly nonuniform media. The general one-dimensional case in Cartesian coordinates is treated. It is shown that the wave equations, upon transformation into the form of the Klein-Gordon equation, display a local critical frequency for reflection. At any location in the medium, reflection becomes strong as the wave frequency descends past this characteristic frequency set by the local nonuniformity of the medium. This critical frequecy is given by the transformation as an explicit function of the Alfven velocity and its first and second derivatives, and hence as an explicit spatial function. The transformation thus directly yields, without solution of the wave equations, the location in the medium at which an Alfven wave of any given frequency becomes strongly reflected and has its propagation practically cut off.
Document ID
19920036747
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Musielak, Z. E.
(Alabama Univ. Huntsville, AL, United States)
Fontenla, J. M.
(Alabama, University Huntsville, United States)
Moore, R. L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Physics of Fluids B
Volume: 4
ISSN: 0899-8221
Subject Category
Plasma Physics
Accession Number
92A19371
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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