Numerical measurement of turbulent responses in drift-Alfven turbulence

A drift-Alfven magnetoturbulence model that augments reduced magnetohydrodynamics with evolution of electron density under parallel compression and fluid advection has been studied numerically. In the Alfvenic regime, measurement of spectral transfer rates, frequency spectra, energy partitions, and the ensemble-averaged turbulent response reveals both Alfvenic and hydrodynamic characteristics. The rms turbulent frequency is Alfvenic, the energies are equipartitioned, and there is a fast, Alfven-time scale relaxation in the turbulent response. The mean frequency is hydrodynamic, with diamagnetic and eddy straining signatures, and there is an eddy straining decorrelation appearing as a distinct, long time scale branch in the turbulent response. The decay rates and relative fluctuation strengths associated with fast and slow time scale decorrelation are in good agreement with theoretical predictions that posit a Kolmogorov spectrum in the Alfvenic regime. copyright 1997 American Institute of Physics