Magnetohydrodynamic interface wave (MHD interface wave)

An MHD interface wave propagates along a discontinuity and decays away from it. Continuity of normal displacement and total pressure determines its dispersion relation.

For two incompressible streams of equal density with a common tangential magnetic field parallel to their velocities, decaying normal modes and interface displacement/total-pressure continuity give $\rho (\sigma +k_x{U}_1{)}^2+\rho (\sigma +k_x{U}_2{)}^2=2k_x^2{B}^2$ in units ${\mu }_0=1$. The displayed dispersion relation follows, with $v_A^2=B^2/\rho$. Thus $|\Delta U|<2v_A$ excludes exponential Kelvin-Helmholtz instability; equality is marginal. Above threshold the growth rate is $|k_x|\sqrt{(\Delta U{)}^2/4-v_A^2}$. The transverse horizontal wavenumber affects the decay length through $k=(k_x^2+k_y^2{)}^{1/2}$ but not this growth threshold. Magnetic tension supplies the stabilizing restoring force.