Resonant Fast-Alfvén Wave Coupling in a 3D Coronal Arcade

Abstract

The resonant excitation of Alfvén waves using the fast magnetosonic mode is important in space plasmas. In this paper, we consider a simple model of a three-dimensional (3D) coronal arcade. A numerical approach is used to produce a driven normal mode. We find that resonant coupling can occur in 3D, but there are new features that are absent in 2D. In particular, the polarisation of the Alfvén waves can vary with position throughout the Resonant Zone. Moreover, there are an infinite number of possible paths the resonant waves can exist on.

Keywords

• magnetohydrodynamic waves
• resonance wave coupling
• coronal arcade