Disperson relation of finite amplitude Alfven wave in a relativistic electron- positron plasma

Abstract

The linear dispersion relation of a finite amplitude, parallel, circularly polarized Alfv\'en wave in a relativistic electron-positron plasma is derived. In the nonrelativistic regime, the dispersion relation has two branches, one electromagnetic wave, with a low frequency cutoff at $\sqrt{1+2\omega_p^2/\Omega_p^2}$ (where $\omega_p=(4\pi n e^2/m)^{1/2}$ is the electron/positron plasma frequency), and an Alfv\'en wave, with high frequency cutoff at the positron gyrofrequency $\Omega_p$. There is only one forward propagating mode for a given frequency. However, due to relativistic effects, there is no low frequency cutoff for the electromagnetic branch, and there appears a critical wave number above which the Alfv\'en wave ceases to exist. This critical wave number is given by $ck_c/\Omega_p=a/\eta$, where $a=\omega_p^2/\Omega_p^2$ and $\eta$ is the ratio between the Alfv\'en wave magnetic field amplitude and the background magnetic field. In this case, for each frequency in the Alfv\'en branch, two additional forward propagating modes exist with equal frequency. A simple numerical example is studied: by numerically solving the coupled system of fluid and Maxwell equations, normal incidence of a finite amplitude Alfv\'en wave on an interface between two electron-positron plasmas of different densities is considered.