Chaos in Magnetoplasmas

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.