Observation of Alfvén Wave Reflection in the Solar Chromosphere: Ponderomotive Force and First Ionization Potential Effect

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate the propagation of Alfvén waves in the solar chromosphere, distinguishing between upward and downward propagating waves. We find clear evidence for the reflection of waves in the chromosphere and differences in propagation between cases with waves interpreted to be resonant or nonresonant with the overlying coronal structures. This establishes the wave connection to coronal element abundance anomalies through the action of the wave ponderomotive force on the chromospheric plasma, which interacts with chromospheric ions but not neutrals, thereby providing a novel mechanism of ion-neutral separation. This is seen as a "first ionization potential effect" when this plasma is lifted into the corona, with implications elsewhere on the Sun for the origin of the slow speed solar wind and its elemental composition.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.132.215201

Authors: Mariarita Murabito, Marco Stangalini, J. Martin Laming, Deborah Baker, Andy S. H. To, David M. Long, David H. Brooks, Shahin Jafarzadeh, David B. Jess, Gherardo Valori

Institutions: Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, University College London, Queen's University Belfast, George Mason University, Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research, California State University, Northridge

Language: English

Topic: Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Leverhulme Trust, Royal Society, National Science Council, Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Norges Forskningsråd, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Office of Naval Research, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

OpenAlex ID: W4394861142