On the theory of Alfven vortices

The revision of the theory of the shear Alfven vortices in a homogeneous plasma is given. The influence of the magnetic viscosity on the character of the admitted discontinuities in the shear Alfven vortices is studied. The nonlinear equations of the shear Alfven waves in the usual approximation of cold ions and also with the allowance for the ion temperature are obtained. The solution of these equations in the form of the dipole vortex with the spatially decreasing amplitude is found. The specific character of the obtained solution consists in a power decreasing of the transverse potential on sufficiently far vortex periphery. It is shown that the integral characteristics of the vortices (energy, generalized enstrophy) are finite. The numerical analysis of the obtained solution is performed. (author)