Theory and observations of Alfvén solitons in the finite beta magnetospheric plasma (Q1095007)

A nonlinear Schrödinger equation which governs the nonlinear evolution of Alfvén wave in a hot, two-fluid plasma, is derived by using a modified version of reductive perturbation theory. The effect of coupling with the density fluctuation is taken into account in the calculation of nonlinear frequency shift. The theory is applied to explain recent observations of the solitary Alfvén waves in space plasma. For the observational analysis, an extensive search was conducted by analyzing magnetic field data from geostationary satellites GOES 2, 3, and 5 in the earth's magnetosphere at 6.6 earth radii. In data covering a period of August 1979 - January 1984, we have found occurrence of 292 solitary wave events. Out of these events, 108 events are classified as Alfvénic solitons (perturbations perpendicular to the ambient field) and 184 mixed mode solitons (perturbations perpendicular and parallel to the ambient field). No event for compressional mode soliton was found. We believe, this is the first time, such analysis and observations of solitary waves in space plasma have been performed. A statistical analysis has been carried out to compare the results of theory and observations. A range of unstable wave numbers has been determined for the Alfvénic soliton in the magnetosphere.