TEAM LEADERS: J. F. McKenzie, G. Zank, E. Dubinin

Abstract

The aim is to bring together experimenters and theorists to discuss wave phenomena in a variety of space environments with a view

to understanding the important plasma physical processes underlying recent observations. We anticipate that the emphasis will be

placed on nonlinear wave structures, solitons, nonlinear periodic waves and oscillitons. The existence of high-time and spatial resolution

of waveforms recently observed by spacecraft (e.g. FAST, Polar, Geotail and Cluster) and the parallel development of new theories

of nonlinear waves provide an opportune occasion for the fruitful exchange of ideas and information between both communities of

researchers.

Scientific Rationale of the Project

Over the last few years significant progress has been made in satellite observations of wave phenomena in magnetospheric and solar wind interaction

physics as a result of the successful procurement of high-time and spatial resolution measurements hitherto unavailable. The FAST, Polar, Geotail and

Cluster data now provide a wealth of information which indicate that nonlinear processes lie behind many space plasma phenomena. Some selected

examples are:

electrostatic solitons on auroral field lines (Mozer et al., 1997, Ergun et al., 1998) and near the magnetopause (Cattell et al., 2002).

the so called broad-band electrostatic noise which may in reality consist of a series of solitary pulses (Picket et al., 2003).

bursts of narrow-band coherent whistler emissions (“lion roars”) may provide evidence of ”oscillitons” (Sauer et al., 2002, Dubinin et al., 2003), a new and

remarkable wave structure.

slow mode solitons in the magnetospheric boundary layer (Stasiewitz et al., 2003).

coherent wave emissions in the form of wave packets in the multi-ion plasmas that exist in the interaction of the solar wind with planets (Kivelson et al.,

1996, Mazelle et al., 2002).

At the same time as these observations have come on stream, theories of fully nonlinear plasma waves-solitons, periodic nonlinear waves, oscillitons –

have recently been developing (e. g. McKenzie and Doyle, 2001, 2002, McKenzie et al., 2001, Dubinin et al., 2002, 2003, Sauer et al., 2001, 2002).

The motivation behind such studies has in past been driven by the excellent observations now available. Of course the subject of nonlinear waves in

complex plasmas is, in itself, intrinsically interesting and important. These studies reveal remarkably rich wave structures existing in different situations.

Therefore we believe it is timeous to bring together both observers and theorists to study this complex subject, with the purpose of identifying the

underlying processes at work in different space plasma environments and to collect the information for publication.

MEMBERS OF THE TEAM

Baumgartel K., Astrophysikalisches Institut, Potsdam, Germany,

e-mail: uk.baumgaertel@t-online.de

Cattell C., School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Minnesota, USA,

e-mail: cattell@fields.space.umn.edu

Dubinin E., Max-Planck Institute fur Aeronomie, Lindau Germany,

e-mail: dubinin@linmpi.mpg.de

Ergun R. E. Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado, USA

e-mail: ree@fast.colorado.edu

Fraenz M., Max-Planck Institute fur Aeronomie, Lindau Germany,

e-mail: fraenz@linmpi.mpg.de

Hellberg M., Department of Physics, University of Natal, Durban, RSA,

e-mail: hellberg@nu.ac.za

Mazelle C., CESR, Toulouse, France,

e-mail: christian.mazelle@cesr.fr

McKenzie J. F., Max-Planck Institute fur Aeronomie, Lindau Germany,

e-mail: mckenzie@linpmi.mpg.de and mckenziej@nu.ac.za

Pickett J. S., Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Iowa, USA

e-mail: pickett@uiowa.edu

Pottelette R., CETP, France,

e-mail: raymond.pottelette@cetp.ipsl.fr

Sauer K., Max-Planck Institute fur Aeronomie, Lindau Germany,

e-mail: sauer@linmpi.mpg.de

Scholer M., Centre for Interdisciplinary Plasma Science, Garching, Germany,

e-mail: mbs@mpe.mpg.de

Shukla P. University Bohum, Germany

Stasiewitz K., Swedish Institute of Space Physics, Uppsala, Sweden,

e-mail: ks@irfu.se

Tsurutani B., JPL, California, USA,

e-mail: bruce.t.tsurutani@jpl.nasa.gov

Verheest F. , University of Gent, Belgium,

e-mail: frank.verheest@UGent.be

Zank G., IGPP, University of California, Riverside, USA,

e-mail: zank@citrus.ucr.edu

From left to right: K. Baumgartel, K. Sauer, G. Zank, P. Shukla, E. Dubinin, J. McKenzie, F. Verheest, J. Pickett, C. Cattell, C. Mazelle, R. Ergun, K. Stasiewitz, V. Manno, M. Fraenz