Articles | Volume 6, issue 3/4
https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-6-129-1999
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-6-129-1999
31 Dec 1999
31 Dec 1999

Chaos in Magnetoplasmas

B. Buti

Abstract. A nonlinear wave, in general, is equivalent to a nonlinear dynamical system, which exhibits the phenomena of chaos. By means of techniques of nonlinear dynamical systems, we have investigated the conditions under which nonlinear Alfvén waves and lower-hybrid waves can become chaotic. The role of heavy ions, in controlling the chaos in magnetoplasmas, is examined. Chaotic routes to Alfvénic turbulence, with k-1 spectra, are observed in case of externally driven nonlinear Alfvén waves. Anomalous heating and particle acceleration resulting from chaotic fields, generated by lower-hybrid waves, are briefly outlined.