Talks at Nordita Programs [before October 2010]

Order and chaos in the plasma universe

by Prof. Abraham C.-L. Chian (National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Brazil)

Europe/Stockholm
FA31

FA31

Description
The plasma universe is an electrodynamically complex system dominated by nonlinear phenomena such as Alfvén and Langmuir intermittent turbulence. Alfvén waves/turbulence - related to fluctuations in the ambient magnetic field - play an important role in the dynamics of solar-terrestrial environment, in the evolution of star forming regions, and in the formation of large-scale structures in the early universe. Radio emissions emitted by Langmuir turbulence - related to fluctuations of electron and ion densities - provide a remote electromagnetic tracer of nonthermal plasma processes (e.g., magnetic reconnection) occurring in the ionosphere, magnetosphere, solar wind, and solar active regions. The dynamical systems approach is capable of elucidating the onset mechanism of turbulence as well as the chaotic nature of the plasma universe.

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