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arXiv · 1008.3513

A Universal Law for Solar-Wind Turbulence at Electron Scales

R. Meyrand·S. Galtier
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Abstract

The interplanetary magnetic fluctuation spectrum obeys a Kolmogorovian power law at scales above the proton inertial length and gyroradius which is well regarded as an inertial range. Below these scales a power law index around $-2.5$ is often measured and associated to nonlinear dispersive processes. Recent observations reveal a third region at scales below the electron inertial length. This region is characterized by a steeper spectrum that some refer to it as the dissipation range. We investigate this range of scales in the electron magnetohydrodynamic approximation and derive an exact and universal law for a third-order structure function. This law can predict a magnetic fluctuation spectrum with an index of $-11/3$ which is in agreement with the observed spectrum at the smallest scales. We conclude on the possible existence of a third turbulence regime in the solar wind instead of a dissipation range as recently postulated.

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R. Meyrand, S. Galtier. 2010-08-20. A Universal Law for Solar-Wind Turbulence at Electron Scales. https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637x/721/2/1421

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