arXiv subjects

F. Valentini

Publications and source records attributed to F. Valentini.

33 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Fluid simulations of plasma turbulence at ion scales: comparison with Vlasov-Maxwell simulations

Comparisons are presented between a hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell (HVM) simulation of turbulence in a collisionless plasma and fluid reductions. These include Hall-magnetohydrodynamics (HMHD) and Landau fluid (LF) or FLR-Landau fluid (FLR-LF) models that retain pressure anisotropy and low-frequency kinetic effects such as Landau damping and, for the last model, finite Larmor radius (FLR) corrections. The problem is considered in two space dimensions, when initial conditions involve moderate-amplitude perturbations of a homogeneous equilibrium plasma subject to an out-of-plane magnetic field. LF turns out to provide an accurate description of the velocity field up to the ion Larmor radius scale, and even to smaller scales for the magnetic field. Compressibility nevertheless appears significantly larger at the sub-ion scales in the fluid models than in the HVM simulation. High frequency kinetic effects, such as cyclotron resonances, not retained by fluid descriptions, could be at the origin of this discrepancy. A significant temperature anisotropy is generated, with a bias towards the perpendicular component, the more intense fluctuations being rather spread out and located in a broad vicinity of current sheets. Non-gyrotropic pressure tensor components are measured and their fluctuations are shown to reach a significant fraction of the total pressure fluctuation, with intense regions closely correlated with current sheets.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2018

Exact hybrid-Vlasov equilibria for sheared plasmas with in-plane and out-of-plane magnetic field

The hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell system of equations is suitable to describe a magnetized plasma at scales of the order of or larger than proton kinetic scales. An exact stationary solution is presented by revisiting previous results with a uniform-density shear flow, directed either parallel or perpendicular to a uniform magnetic field, and by adapting the solution to the hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell model. A quantitative characterization of the equilibrium distribution function is provided by studying both analytically and numerically the temperature anisotropy and gyrotropy and the heat flux. In both cases, in the shear region, the velocity distribution significantly departs from local thermodynamical equilibrium. A comparison between the time behavior of the usual "fluid-like" equilibrium shifted Maxwellian and the exact stationary solutions is carried out by means of numerical simulations of the hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell equations. These hybrid equilibria can be employed as an unperturbed states for numerous problems which involve sheared flows, such as the wave propagation in inhomogeneous background and the onset of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2018

Velocity-Space Cascade in Magnetized Plasmas: Numerical Simulations

Plasma turbulence is studied via direct numerical simulations in a two-dimensional spatial geometry. Using a hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell model, we investigate the possibility of a velocity-space cascade. A novel theory of space plasma turbulence has been recently proposed by Servidio {\it et al.} [PRL, {\bf 119}, 205101 (2017)], supported by a three-dimensional Hermite decomposition applied to spacecraft measurements, showing that velocity space fluctuations of the ion velocity distribution follow a broad-band, power-law Hermite spectrum $P(m)$, where $m$ is the Hermite index. We numerically explore these mechanisms in a more magnetized regime. We find that (1) the plasma reveals spectral anisotropy in velocity space, due to the presence of an external magnetic field (analogous to spatial anisotropy of fluid and plasma turbulence); (2) the distribution of energy follows the prediction $P(m)\sim m^{-2}$, proposed in the above theoretical-observational work; and (3) the velocity-space activity is intermittent in space, being enhanced close to coherent structures such as the reconnecting current sheets produced by turbulence. These results may be relevant to the nonlinear dynamics weakly-collisional plasma in a wide variety of circumstances.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2017

Magnetosperic Multiscale (MMS) observation of plasma velocity-space cascade: Hermite representation and theory

Plasma turbulence is investigated using high-resolution ion velocity distributions measured by the Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission (MMS) in the Earth's magnetosheath. The particle distribution is highly structured, suggesting a cascade-like process in velocity space. This complex velocity space structure is investigated using a three-dimensional Hermite transform that reveals a power law distribution of moments. In analogy to hydrodynamics, a Kolmogorov approach leads directly to a range of predictions for this phase-space cascade. The scaling theory is in agreement with observations, suggesting a new path for the study of plasma turbulence in weakly collisional space and astrophysical plasmas.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2017

Colliding Alfvénic wave packets in MHD, Hall and kinetic simulations

The analysis of the Parker-Moffatt problem, recently revisited in Pezzi et al. (2016), is here extended by including the Hall magnetohydrodynamics and two hybrid kinetic Vlasov-Maxwell numerical models. The presence of dispersive and kinetic features is studied in detail and a comparison between the two kinetic codes is also reported. Focus on the presence of non-Maxwellian signatures shows that - during the collision - regions characterized by strong temperature anisotropy are recovered and the proton distribution function displays a beam along the direction of the magnetic field, similar to some recent observations of the solar wind.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2016

Revisiting a classic: the Parker-Moffatt problem

The interaction of two colliding Alfvén wave packets is here described by means of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) and hybrid kinetic numerical simulations. The MHD evolution revisits the theoretical insights described by Moffatt, Parker, Kraichnan, Chandrasekhar and Elsässer in which the oppositely propagating large amplitude wave packets interact for a finite time, initiating turbulence. However, the extension to include compressive and kinetic effects, while maintaining the gross characteristics of the simpler classic formulation, also reveals intriguing features which go beyond the pure MHD treatment.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2016

Differential kinetic dynamics and heating of ions in the turbulent solar wind

The solar wind plasma is a fully ionized and turbulent gas ejected by the outer layers of the solar corona at very high speed, mainly composed by protons and electrons, with a small percentage of helium nuclei and a significantly lower abundance of heavier ions. Since particle collisions are practically negligible, the solar wind is typically not in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium. Such a complex system must be described through self-consistent and fully nonlinear models, taking into account its multi-species composition and turbulence. We use a kinetic hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell numerical code to reproduce the turbulent energy cascade down to ion kinetic scales, in typical conditions of the uncontaminated solar wind plasma, with the aim of exploring the differential kinetic dynamics of the dominant ion species, namely protons and alpha particles. We show that the response of different species to the fluctuating electromagnetic fields is different. In particular, a significant differential heating of alphas with respect to protons is observed. Interestingly, the preferential heating process occurs in spatial regions nearby the peaks of ion vorticity and where strong deviations from thermodynamic equilibrium are recovered. Moreover, by feeding a simulator of a top-hat ion spectrometer with the output of the kinetic simulations, we show that measurements by such spectrometer planned on board the Turbulence Heating ObserveR (THOR mission), a candidate for the next M4 space mission of the European Space Agency, can provide detailed three-dimensional ion velocity distributions, highlighting important non-Maxwellian features. These results support the idea that future space missions will allow a deeper understanding of the physics of the interplanetary medium.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2016

Transition to kinetic turbulence at proton scales driven by large-amplitude Kinetic Alfvèn fluctuations

Space plasmas are dominated by the presence of large-amplitude waves, large-scale inhomogeneities, kinetic effects and turbulence. Beside the homogeneous turbulence, generation of small scale fluctuations can take place also in other realistic configurations, namely, when perturbations superpose to an inhomogeneous background magnetic field. When an Alfvén wave propagates in a medium where the Alfvén speed varies in a direction transverse to the mean field, it undergoes phase-mixing, which progressively bends wavefronts, generating small scales in the transverse direction. As soon as transverse scales get of the order of the proton inertial length $d_p$, kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) are naturally generated. KAWs belong to the branch of Alfvén waves and propagate nearly perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field, at scales close to $d_p$. Many numerical, observational and theoretical works have suggested that these fluctuations may play a determinant role in the development of the solar-wind turbulent cascade. In the present paper, the generation of large amplitude KAW fluctuations in inhomogeneous background and their effect on the protons have been investigated by means of hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell direct numerical simulations. Imposing a pressure balanced magnetic shear, the kinetic dynamics of protons has been investigated by varying both the magnetic configuration and the amplitude of the initial perturbations. Of interest here is the transition from quasi-linear to turbulent regimes, focusing, in particular, on the development of important non-Maxwellian features in the proton distribution function driven by KAW fluctuations.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2016

Turbulent dynamo in a collisionless plasma

Magnetic fields pervade the entire Universe and affect the formation and evolution of astrophysical systems from cosmological to planetary scales. The generation and dynamical amplification of extragalactic magnetic fields through cosmic times, up to $μ$Gauss levels reported in nearby galaxy clusters, near equipartition with kinetic energy of plasma motions and on scales of at least tens of kiloparsecs, is a major puzzle largely unconstrained by observations. A dynamo effect converting kinetic flow energy into magnetic energy is often invoked in that context, however extragalactic plasmas are weakly collisional (as opposed to magnetohydrodynamic fluids), and whether magnetic-field growth and sustainment through an efficient turbulent dynamo instability is possible in such plasmas is not established. Fully kinetic numerical simulations of the Vlasov equation in a six-dimensional phase space necessary to answer this question have until recently remained beyond computational capabilities. Here, we show by means of such simulations that magnetic-field amplification via a dynamo instability does occur in a stochastically-driven, non-relativistic subsonic flow of initially unmagnetized collisionless plasma. We also find that the dynamo self-accelerates and becomes entangled with kinetic instabilities as magnetization increases. The results suggest that such a plasma dynamo may be realizable in laboratory experiments, support the idea that intracluster medium (ICM) turbulence may have significantly contributed to the amplification of cluster magnetic fields up to near-equipartition levels on a timescale shorter than the Hubble time, and emphasize the crucial role of multiscale kinetic physics in high-energy astrophysical plasmas.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2015

Kinetic Alfvén waves generation by large-scale phase-mixing

One view of the solar-wind turbulence is that the observed highly anisotropic fluctuations at spatial scales near the proton inertial length $d_p$ may be considered as Kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs). In the present paper, we show how phase-mixing of large-scale parallel propagating Alfvén waves is an efficient mechanism for the production of KAWs at wavelengths close to $d_p$ and at large propagation angle with respect to the magnetic field. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD), Hall-Magnetohydrodynamic (HMHD), and hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell (HVM) simulations modeling the propagation of Alfvén waves in inhomogeneous plasmas are performed. In linear regime, the role of dispersive effects is singled out by comparing MHD and HMHD results. Fluctuations produced by phase-mixing are identified as KAWs through a comparison of polarization of magnetic fluctuations and wave group velocity with analytical linear predictions. In the nonlinear regime, comparison of HMHD and HVM simulations allows to point out the role of kinetic effects in shaping the proton distribution function. We observe generation of temperature anisotropy with respect to the local magnetic field and production of field-aligned beams. The regions where the proton distribution function highly departs from thermal equilibrium are located inside the shear layers, where the KAWs are excited, this suggesting that the distortions of the proton distribution are driven by a resonant interaction of protons with KAW fluctuations. Our results are relevant in configurations where magnetic field inhomogeneities are present, as, for example, in the solar corona where the presence of Alfvén waves has been ascertained.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

Vlasov simulations of Kinetic Alfvén Waves at proton kinetic scales

Kinetic Alfvén waves represent an important subject in space plasma physics, since they are thought to play a crucial role in the development of the turbulent energy cascade in the solar wind plasma at short wavelengths (of the order of the proton inertial length $d_p$ and beyond). A full understanding of the physical mechanisms which govern the kinetic plasma dynamics at these scales can provide important clues on the problem of the turbulent dissipation and heating in collisionless systems. In this paper, hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell simulations are employed to analyze in detail the features of the kinetic Alfvén waves at proton kinetic scales, in typical conditions of the solar wind environment. In particular, linear and nonlinear regimes of propagation of these fluctuations have been investigated in a single-wave situation, focusing on the physical processes of collisionless Landau damping and wave-particle resonant interaction. Interestingly, since for wavelengths close to $d_p$ and proton plasma beta $β$ of order unity the kinetic Alfvén waves have small phase speed compared to the proton thermal velocity, wave-particle interaction processes produce significant deformations in the core of the particle velocity distribution, appearing as phase space vortices and resulting in flat-top velocity profiles. Moreover, as the Eulerian hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell algorithm allows for a clean almost noise-free description of the velocity space, three-dimensional plots of the proton velocity distribution help to emphasize how the plasma departs from the Maxwellian configuration of thermodynamic equilibrium due to nonlinear kinetic effects.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2014

Nonlinear and Linear Timescales near Kinetic Scales in Solar Wind Turbulence

The application of linear kinetic treatments to plasma waves, damping, and instability requires favorable inequalities between the associated linear timescales and timescales for nonlinear (e.g., turbulence) evolution. In the solar wind these two types of timescales may be directly compared using standard Kolmogorov-style analysis and observational data. The estimated local nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic cascade times, evaluated as relevant kinetic scales are approached, remain slower than the cyclotron period, but comparable to, or faster than, the typical timescales of instabilities, anisotropic waves, and wave damping. The variation with length scale of the turbulence timescales is supported by observations and simulations. On this basis the use of linear theory - which assumes constant parameters to calculate the associated kinetic rates - may be questioned. It is suggested that the product of proton gyrofrequency and nonlinear time at the ion gyroscales provides a simple measure of turbulence influence on proton kinetic behavior.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2013

Proton Kinetic Effects in Vlasov and Solar Wind Turbulence

Kinetic plasma processes have been investigated in the framework of solar wind turbulence, employing Hybrid Vlasov-Maxwell (HVM) simulations. The dependency of proton temperature anisotropy T_{\perp}/T_{\parallel} on the parallel plasma beta β_{\parallel}, commonly observed in spacecraft data, has been recovered using an ensemble of HVM simulations. By varying plasma parameters, such as plasma beta and fluctuation level, the simulations explore distinct regions of the parameter space given by T_{\perp}/T_{\parallel} and β_{\parallel}, similar to solar wind sub-datasets. Moreover, both simulation and solar wind data suggest that temperature anisotropy is not only associated with magnetic intermittent events, but also with gradient-type structures in the flow and in the density. This connection between non-Maxwellian kinetic effects and various types of intermittency may be a key point for understanding the complex nature of plasma turbulence.

physics.space-ph↗

arXiv2013

Response to Comment on `Undamped electrostatic plasma waves' [Phys. Plasmas 19, 092103 (2012)]

Numerical and experimental evidence is given for the occurrence of the plateau states and concomitant corner modes proposed in \cite{valentini12}. It is argued that these states provide a better description of reality for small amplitude off-dispersion disturbances than the conventional Bernstein-Greene-Kruskal or cnoidal states such as those proposed in \cite{comment}

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2012

Undamped electrostatic plasma waves

Electrostatic waves in a collision-free unmagnetized plasma of electrons with fixed ions are investigated for electron equilibrium velocity distribution functions that deviate slightly from Maxwellian. Of interest are undamped waves that are the small amplitude limit of nonlinear excitations, such as electron acoustic waves (EAWs). A deviation consisting of a small plateau, a region with zero velocity derivative over a width that is a very small fraction of the electron thermal speed, is shown to give rise to new undamped modes, which here are named {\it corner modes}. The presence of the plateau turns off Landau damping and allows oscillations with phase speeds within the plateau. These undamped waves are obtained in a wide region of the $(k,ω_{_R})$ plane ($ω_{_R}$ being the real part of the wave frequency and $k$ the wavenumber), away from the well-known `thumb curve' for Langmuir waves and EAWs based on the Maxwellian. Results of nonlinear Vlasov-Poisson simulations that corroborate the existence of these modes are described. It is also shown that deviations caused by fattening the tail of the distribution shift roots off of the thumb curve toward lower $k$-values and chopping the tail shifts them toward higher $k$-values. In addition, a rule of thumb is obtained for assessing how the existence of a plateau shifts roots off of the thumb curve. Suggestions are made for interpreting experimental observations of electrostatic waves, such as recent ones in nonneutral plasmas.

physics.plasm-ph↗