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The Alfvén frequency is the frequency of an Alfvén wave with wavevector $\mathbf{k}$ in a uniform magnetic field $\mathbf{B}$ and mass density $\rho$. For a vertical field and vertical wavenumber $k$, its square is ${\omega }_a^2=k^2{B}_z^2/({\mu }_0\rho )$. Its competition with orbital shear determines the ideal magnetorotational dispersion relation.

Alfvénic turbulence is the turbulent interaction of fluctuations polarized primarily as Alfvén waves. In Elsässer variables ${\mathbf{z}}^{\pm }={\mathbf{u}}_{\perp }\pm \delta {\mathbf{B}}_{\perp }/\sqrt{4\pi {\rho }_0}$, each wave population is nonlinearly distorted by the oppositely propagating population. Equal populations give a balanced cascade; unequal populations give an imbalanced cascade. The absence of one population removes the leading nonlinear interaction in ideal reduced magnetohydrodynamics.

For an incompressible shear flow $U(z){\mathbf{e}}_x$ with uniform magnetic field $B{\mathbf{e}}_x$, define $S=\sigma +k_{x}U$ for time dependence $e^{i\sigma t}$ and $\zeta =i{k}_{x}v-i{k}_{y}u$. Eliminating the magnetic perturbations from the horizontal momentum equations gives the displayed product for $S\ne 0$. Away from the Alfvén wave resonance, it yields $\zeta =k_y{U}^{\prime }w/S$. At resonance one must retain the original system: for constant $U$, $k_y=0$, $S^2=k_x^2{B}^2/\rho$, any smooth transverse amplitude $v(z)$ with $b_y=k_{x}Bv/S$ and all other amplitudes zero is an Alfvén wave. Its nonzero vorticity disproves the unrestricted zero-vorticity reduction. Exponentially growing modes with real background coefficients cannot encounter these real-frequency resonances.

For an incompressible flow with constant mass density, the Elsässer variables are ${\mathbf{z}}^{\pm }=\mathbf{u}\pm {\mathbf{v}}_a$, where ${\mathbf{v}}_a$ is the Alfvén velocity. Adding and subtracting the Euler momentum equation and ideal magnetohydrodynamic induction equation yields ${\partial }_t{\mathbf{z}}^{\pm }+({\mathbf{z}}^{\mp }\cdot \nabla ){\mathbf{z}}^{\pm }=-\nabla \psi$, with $\psi =p/\rho +\Phi +|{\mathbf{v}}_a{|}^2/2$ and $\nabla \cdot {\mathbf{z}}^{\pm }=0$. Thus each field is transported by the other, a useful way to expose interactions of oppositely directed Alfvén waves.

Goldreich–Sridhar turbulence combines critical balance, balanced counterpropagating Alfvén waves, a local perpendicular cascade, and constant energy flux per unit mass $\mathcal{E}$. With ${\tau }_{\mathrm{nl}}\sim {\ell }_{\perp }/\delta u_{\ell }$ and $\mathcal{E}\sim \delta u_{\ell }^2/{\tau }_{\mathrm{nl}}$, one obtains $\delta u_{\ell }\sim (\mathcal{E}{\ell }_{\perp }{)}^{1/3}$. Defining the one-dimensional perpendicular turbulent energy spectrum by $\delta u_{\ell }^2\sim k_{\perp }E(k_{\perp })$ gives $E(k_{\perp })\sim {\mathcal{E}}^{2/3}{k}_{\perp }^{-5/3}$. Critical balance also gives $k_{\parallel }\sim {\mathcal{E}}^{1/3}{k}_{\perp }^{2/3}/v_A$. This scaling argument neglects scale-dependent alignment and intermittency corrections, which are additional physical effects rather than consequences of the stated assumptions.

For sound speed $v_s$ much larger than Alfvén speed $v_a$, and angle $\theta$ between the wavevector and magnetic field, the fast magnetosonic wave has $v_f^2=v_s^2+v_a^2{\sin }^2\theta +O(v_a^4/v_s^2)$. The slow magnetosonic wave has $v_{\mathrm{slow}}^2=v_a^2{\cos }^2\theta [1-(v_a^2/v_s^2){\sin }^2\theta +O(v_a^4/v_s^4)]$. The fast mode is predominantly longitudinal sound. The slow mode becomes almost incompressible, polarized in the plane of the wavevector and magnetic field; the Alfvén wave is polarized perpendicular to that plane. The latter two are predominantly magnetic-tension waves with equal leading phase speeds.

For a uniform guide field, write the transverse perturbation in velocity units as $\mathbf{b}$. Linear momentum gives $\omega \mathbf{u}=-k_{\parallel }{v}_A\mathbf{b}$. Linear induction gives $\omega \mathbf{b}=-k_{\parallel }{v}_A\mathbf{u}+i{k}_{\parallel }{v}_A{d}_i\mathbf{k}\times \mathbf{b}$. The helicity decomposition of a transverse Fourier mode then yields the displayed dispersion relation. Its two positive frequency magnitudes are $|k_{\parallel }|v_A[\sqrt{1+(k{d}_i{)}^2/4}\pm k{d}_i/2]$, approaching the Alfvén wave frequency for $k{d}_i\ll 1$. For $k{d}_i\gg 1$, the fast branch is a whistler wave and the slow branch tends to $|k_{\parallel }|v_A/(k{d}_i)$.

For one-dimensional flow obeying an isothermal equation of state with $u_z=B_z=0$, the primitive variables $(\rho ,u_x,u_y,B_y)$ form a four-variable hyperbolic system and $B_x$ is constant. The speeds relative to $u_x$ satisfy $c^4-(c_s^2+v_a^2)c^2+c_s^2{v}_{ax}^2=0$. These are the fast and slow magnetosonic waves. The independent out-of-plane Alfvén wave polarization and a freely advected entropy mode are absent from this reduced isothermal system.

A kinetic Alfvén wave is a dispersive extension of the Alfvén wave in a plasma when perpendicular kinetic or two-fluid effects, including a pressure response, matter. Its particular dispersion relation depends on the ordering and plasma parameters. A similar product of parallel and perpendicular wavenumbers can occur in a whistler wave, but agreement of a scaling power does not identify the underlying physical equations.

The linearized ideal magnetohydrodynamic equations retain terms first order in perturbations about a chosen ideal-MHD background. Around a uniform state they describe Alfvén waves and magnetosonic waves.

A finite sinusoidal transverse field $B_x=a{B}_0\cos [k(z-v_{a}t)]$, $B_y=0$, has varying magnetic pressure. In a purely transverse traveling Alfvén wave, longitudinal momentum requires ${\partial }_z[p+B_x^2/(2{\mu }_0)]=0$, but the adiabatic pressure equation with $u_z=0$ requires ${\partial }_{t}p=0$. A traveling compensating gas pressure cannot satisfy both conditions. The uncompensated force is quadratic in amplitude and drives a compressive response. A regular periodic one-dimensional traveling solution cannot evade this by varying mass density: its mass, transverse momentum and induction integrals force constant mass density at the zeros of the transverse field and hence throughout the nontrivial wave.

Magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is irregular nonlinear motion of an electrically conducting fluid coupled to a magnetic field. Alfvén waves and magnetosonic waves give propagation times in addition to the nonlinear mixing time. A strong guide field distinguishes directions parallel and perpendicular to it, so the resulting cascades need not be isotropic.

A polarization specifies the direction or trajectory of the oscillating velocity and magnetic field in a magnetohydrodynamic wave. The linear Alfvén wave has velocity perpendicular to the plane of the background magnetic field and wavevector; the magnetosonic waves have velocity in that plane. A real fixed polarization vector gives a linear oscillation. Two orthogonal components of equal amplitude in quadrature give a circular trajectory. For propagation parallel to a uniform field, combining the two degenerate transverse linear polarizations produces circular polarization; at finite amplitude its constant transverse magnetic-field magnitude removes the longitudinal magnetic pressure gradient.

Use $S(z)=\sigma +k_{x}U(z)$, $k^2=k_x^2+k_y^2>0$ and primes for $z$ derivatives. Time dependence is $e^{i\sigma t}$, so exponential growth means $\mathrm{Im}\sigma <0$. The constant mass density and incompressible velocity giveAll magnetic factors below use the source convention ${\mu }_0=1$.

Linearizing the ideal magnetohydrodynamic momentum equation, the advective perturbation is $iS{\mathbf{u}}_1+U^{\prime }w{\mathbf{e}}_x$. The magnetic force is $(\nabla \times \mathbf{b})\times B{\mathbf{e}}_x$, whose $x$ component vanishes. Thus the three component equations areIn particular the vertical equation has the pressure-gradient and magnetic signs printed in the PDF.

The incompressible ideal magnetohydrodynamic induction equation can be written $D\mathbf{B}/Dt=(\mathbf{B}\cdot \nabla )\mathbf{u}$. Linearizing it givesFor $S\ne 0$, these areThe $U^{\prime }{b}_z$ term is essential: a perturbed vertical magnetic component is stretched by the background shear flow. Differentiating these amplitudes and using incompressibility also verifies $i{k}_x{b}_x+i{k}_y{b}_y+b_z^{\prime }=0$.

For completeness, substitution into all three momentum equations giveswhere $\zeta =i{k}_{x}v-i{k}_{y}u$ is the vertical vorticity amplitude. Multiplying the $y$ equation by $k_x$ and subtracting $k_y$ times the $x$ equation eliminates pressure:Therefore, away from $\rho S^2=k_x^2{B}^2$,This is the nonresonant reduction relevant to the instability calculation. Division at the Alfvén wave resonance would be invalid. For a concrete counterexample to an unrestricted reading, take constant $U$, $k_y=0$, $S=\pm k_{x}B/\sqrt{\rho }$, $v=a(z)$ and $b_y=k_{x}Ba(z)/S$, with all other amplitudes zero. Every smooth $a(z)$ solves the original linear system, but $\zeta =i{k}_{x}a(z)$ need not vanish. These transverse resonant waves do not drive $w$. A genuinely growing mode in a real background has complex $S$ and cannot satisfy either $S=0$ or $S^2=k_x^2{B}^2/\rho$ on the real $z$ axis. This explains exactly when the requested reductions may be used.

On that nonresonant branch, multiply the horizontal equations by $k_x$ and $k_y$ and add. Incompressibility gives $k_{x}u+k_{y}v=i{w}^{\prime }$, soCombining incompressibility with vorticity, multiply its first equation by $k_x$ and subtract $k_y$ times the definition of $\zeta$. This givesConsequentlySubstitute this and the derivative of the displayed pressure relation into vertical momentum. Multiplication by $k^2/i$ givesExpanding the second derivative once gives exactly the requested vertical-velocity equation:

To take the discontinuous-layer limit without multiplying distributions, introduce $f=w/S$. It is proportional to the normal displacement: the material kinematic condition is $w=iS\eta$, so $f=i\eta$. Since $S^{\prime }=k_x{U}^{\prime }$, $S{w}^{\prime }-S^{\prime }w=S^2{f}^{\prime }$. The same equation becomes the displacement equation for a parallel magnetic shear flowThe physical interface condition is continuity of $f$, because both fluids move the same interface. For constant $U_j$ on each side, away from resonance the coefficient is constant and nonzero, so $f^{\prime \prime }-k^{2}f=0$. Requiring decay at infinity and matching $f(0)$ yieldsThe exponent is $z$, as in the actual PDF; the converted TeX's $x$ there is a transcription error.

Integrate the conservative displacement equation across a layer of thickness $2\epsilon$. Its undifferentiated term has an integral tending to zero, while the derivative givesEquivalently, the perturbed magnetohydrodynamic total pressure is $p_1+B{b}_x=(\rho S^2-k_x^2{B}^2)f^{\prime }/(i{k}^2)$ and is continuous. With $f_{+}^{\prime }=-kA$ and $f_{-}^{\prime }=kA$, a nontrivial amplitude requiresThis is also the rigorous thin-layer integration of the original vertical equation, after combining the derivative terms before taking the limit.

Put $\overline{U}=(U_1+U_2)/2$ and $\Delta U=U_2-U_1$. Completing the square gives the dispersion relationFor $(\Delta U{)}^2<4B^2/\rho$ both interface frequencies are real, so there is no exponentially growing interface mode. Above that threshold, the growing sign has growth rate $|k_x|\sqrt{(\Delta U{)}^2/4-B^2/\rho }$. This is magnetic stabilization of an equal-density vortex sheet: magnetic tension from bending the field overcomes the kinetic shear driving Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Equality is marginal and the strict stable condition avoids its double-root degeneracy. The case $k_x=0$ has no streamwise shear drive and has the neutral interface frequency $\sigma =0$; the nonzero-frequency elimination should be interpreted by the original equations or a limiting displacement formulation in that case. The horizontal $k_y$ affects the exponential decay length through $k$, but not the stated threshold.

Solving the polarization quadratic gives all four signed roots:A sign-independent description is the pair of positive frequency magnitudesFor wavelengths long compared with the ion skin depth, $k{d}_i\ll 1$, both magnitudes approach $|k_{\parallel }|v_A$. The Hall correction is then small and the usual Alfvén wave dispersion ${\omega }^2=k_{\parallel }^2{v}_A^2$ is recovered. In an incompressible system the two transverse polarizations include the shear and pseudo-Alfvén wave sectors; away from this limit Hall coupling selects circular helicity combinations. A small parallel wavenumber alone does not remove the relative Hall splitting: the expansion parameter is the full $k{d}_i$.

Use incompressible ideal MHD at scales above the ion skin depth, a strong uniform mean field, and a statistically steady local energy cascade with mean flux $ϵ$ per unit mass. Assume balanced counterpropagating wave populations, comparable velocity and magnetic amplitudes in velocity units, and no additional scale-dependent alignment or intermittency correction. Write $\mathbf{b}=\delta \mathbf{B}/\sqrt{4\pi \rho }$ and introduce the fluctuation Elsässer variables ${\mathbf{z}}^{\pm }=\mathbf{u}\pm \mathbf{b}$. Their equations areOnly opposite populations distort one another. A single population has no leading nonlinear self-interaction, so the balance assumption is essential to a one-amplitude cascade estimate.

Let $\delta z_l$ denote the typical balanced amplitude and let $l_{\perp },l_{\parallel }$ be coherence lengths relative to the local mean field. The Alfvén wave time and eddy turnover time areFor $\chi \ll 1$, one counterpropagating encounter changes the packet fractionally by order $\chi$. Assume phases decorrelate between encounters. After $N$ encounters, random accumulation is of order $\sqrt{N}\chi$; an order-one change requires $N\sim {\chi }^{-2}$. The weak wave cascade time is thereforeWeakness by itself does not prove this random walk estimate; phase decorrelation and the interaction geometry are additional assumptions.

For the Iroshnikov-Kraichnan spectrum, impose isotropy, $l_{\parallel }\sim l_{\perp }\sim l$, in addition to $\delta z_l\ll v_A$. Then ${\tau }_A=l/v_A\ll {\tau }_{\mathrm{nl}}=l/\delta z_l$ andHence $\delta z_l\sim (ϵv_{A}l{)}^{1/4}$. A local shell-integrated turbulent energy spectrum has $\delta z_l^2\sim kE(k)$, $k\sim l^{-1}$, soThe isotropy is imposed phenomenologically; a strong guide field actually distinguishes directions and does not force this isotropic picture. The spectrum is not an automatically valid asymptotic result for every strongly magnetized cascade.

For the anisotropic weak Alfvénic cascade, keep $l_{\parallel }$ approximately fixed while cascading to smaller $l_{\perp }$, and require $\chi \ll 1$. This geometry follows from resonant three-wave Alfvén interactions: frequency conservation together with parallel-wavenumber conservation makes one member of an oppositely propagating resonant triad have zero parallel wavenumber, so the propagating modes retain their parallel wavenumber in the leading resonant transfer. Thus there is no leading parallel cascade in this ideal weak-wave ordering. Using the fixed parallel scale,Therefore $\delta z_l\sim (ϵv_A/l_{\parallel }{)}^{1/4}{l}_{\perp }^{1/2}$. For the one-dimensional perpendicular spectrum, $\delta z_l^2\sim k_{\perp }{E}_{\perp }(k_{\perp })$ givesUnlike the isotropic estimate, the parallel length does not decrease with the perpendicular length. Since $\chi =\delta z_l{l}_{\parallel }/(v_A{l}_{\perp })\propto l_{\perp }^{-1/2}$, the interactions become stronger down the cascade. If ${\chi }_0\ll 1$ at outer perpendicular scale $L_{\perp }$, the weak approximation breaks at $l_{\perp ,\ast }\sim L_{\perp }{\chi }_0^2$. This is the weak-to-strong transition of an Alfvénic cascade.

For Goldreich–Sridhar turbulence, abandon the weak-collision estimate and impose critical balance, ${\tau }_A\sim {\tau }_{\mathrm{nl}}$. The local cascade is strong, with transfer time of order one eddy turnover time. ThenThe parallel scale is set dynamically, not held fixed:At smaller scales $l_{\parallel }/l_{\perp }$ grows, so the eddies are increasingly elongated along the local magnetic field. Strong turbulence does not mean $\delta z_l\sim v_A$: small transverse amplitudes can still be strong when the eddies are sufficiently anisotropic to satisfy critical balance. Imbalance, alignment or nonlocal interactions would require different cascade reasoning.

Finally, in the usual isotropic hydrodynamic Kolmogorov 1941 theory inertial-range argument, the only relevant dimensional quantities are $ϵ$ and $k$. With $[ϵ]=L^2{T}^{-3}$ and $[E]=L^3{T}^{-2}$, writing $E\propto {ϵ}^a{k}^b$ forces $a=2/3$, $b=-5/3$. This uses the physical assumptions that outer-scale, viscous and intermittency effects do not supply another leading dependence; dimensions alone are not a proof of those assumptions.

A magnetic guide field supplies the independent speed $v_A$, and anisotropy adds independent parallel lengths. Even before adding anisotropy, dimensions permitwith arbitrary dimensionless $\Phi$. For example $\Phi (x)\propto x^{1/2}$ reproduces the isotropic Iroshnikov-Kraichnan spectrum estimate. This dimensional freedom of an MHD spectrum explains why propagation, decorrelation, anisotropy and cascade-time assumptions must select among the spectra: purely dimensional considerations do not select a unique MHD exponent.

Let the equilibrium ideal gas be at rest, with uniform ${\rho }_0,p_0$ and ${\mathbf{B}}_0=B_0{\mathbf{e}}_z$. This local wave calculation neglects gravity, viscosity and magnetic diffusion. Define the adiabatic sound speed $c\equiv v_s=(\gamma p_0/{\rho }_0{)}^{1/2}$, the Alfvén speed $v_a=B_0/({\mu }_0{\rho }_0{)}^{1/2}$, and a wavevector $\mathbf{k}=k(\sin \theta ,0,\cos \theta )$, where $k=|\mathbf{k}|$ and $\theta$ is its angle to the equilibrium magnetic field. Perturbations have dependence $e^{i\mathbf{k}\cdot \mathbf{x}-i\omega t}$ and phase speed $v=\omega /k$.

The linearized ideal magnetohydrodynamic equations for mass conservation, pressure, induction and momentum giveThe relation between pressure and mass density follows from eliminating $\mathbf{k}\cdot {\mathbf{u}}^{\prime }$ between the two material evolution equations; it applies to the nonzero-frequency wave sector. The induction result automatically has $\mathbf{k}\cdot \mathbf{b}=0$.

The $y$ MHD wave polarization is perpendicular to both the field and wavevector. It has $\delta p=\delta \rho =0$ and obeysThus the transverse Alfvén wave hasIn the $x$-$z$ plane the two remaining velocity components instead obey the symmetric matrix eigenproblemTaking its determinant gives $v^4-(c^2+v_a^2)v^2+c^2{v}_a^2{\cos }^2\theta =0$. Solving this quadratic equation in $v^2$ derives both magnetoacoustic wave phase speeds,The plus sign is the fast magnetosonic wave, the minus sign the slow magnetosonic wave. The radicand is nonnegative, since it equals $[(c^2-v_a^2{)}^2+4c^2{v}_a^2{\sin }^2\theta ]/4$. Both squared speeds are nonnegative. Each nonzero mode has forward and backward propagation; an advected entropy disturbance is a separate zero-frequency mode in this static equilibrium.

Set $ϵ=v_a^2/c^2\ll 1$. Expanding the square root in part (a) givesHence, to first absolute order in $ϵ$,The high-pressure limit of magnetosonic waves can also be expressed as nonnegative speeds. Retaining the next squared-speed term gives the first relative correction for the slow mode:The exact Alfvén speed along the propagation direction remains $v_a|\cos \theta |$.

The fast magnetosonic wave is predominantly an acoustic wave, with velocity almost parallel to $\mathbf{k}$ and appreciable mass density and gas pressure variations. Its magnetic pressure correction is weak. The Alfvén wave is exactly incompressible, polarized perpendicular to the $\mathbf{k}$-${\mathbf{B}}_0$ plane and restored by magnetic tension.

The slow magnetosonic wave is polarized inside that plane and almost perpendicular to $\mathbf{k}$. Indeed, the leading sound speed part of the matrix in (a) annihilates a vector perpendicular to $\mathbf{k}$, so only the smaller magnetic restoring force acts on that MHD wave polarization. Its compression is smaller by order $ϵ$, with gas pressure changes almost cancelling magnetic pressure changes. It is often called the pseudo-Alfvén wave MHD wave polarization in this high pressure limit. Thus two distinct almost-incompressible magnetic MHD wave polarizations have the same leading speed, while the third is predominantly sound. For exactly perpendicular propagation the Alfvén wave and slow magnetosonic wave frequencies vanish; for parallel propagation the two transverse magnetic MHD wave polarizations are degenerate.