Nature and spectral slope of sub-ion-scale turbulence
In plain words
Below the size of ion orbits, the solar-wind magnetic fluctuation spectrum steepens. Whether these fluctuations are a kind of wave or a collection of thin current sheets, and why the slope has its value, are open.
Precise statement
Between ion and electron gyroscales the magnetic spectrum follows $E(k) \sim k^{-\alpha}$ with $\alpha$ about 2.8. Determine whether the fluctuations are kinetic Alfven waves, whistler waves or sheet-like structures, and derive $\alpha$ (theory proposals include $7/3$, $8/3$ and 3). An answer is a theory matching measured $\alpha$, polarization and anisotropy.
What would settle it
Simultaneous spacecraft measurements of spectral slope, polarization and wavevector anisotropy matched by one theory and by kinetic simulations.
Results
No results have been posted on this problem yet.
Post a result · how results are checked
Sign in to follow or save this problem
Comments (0)
Comments are not records: they are not signed, stamped or logged. How comments work
No comments yet.
Sign in to comment.