Alfvén Waves — MHD Dispersion
v_A:
1.00
ω:
—
k:
—
Mode:
Alfvén
Shear Alfvén
Slow Mode
Fast Mode
Reset
B field strength
0.80
Plasma density ρ
0.80
Wave number k
k=2.0
Propagation angle θ
0°
Alfvén speed: v_A = B/√(μ₀ρ). Shear Alfvén: ω=k‖v_A (dispersionless). MHD oblique modes split into fast/slow magnetosonic + shear Alfvén. The field lines oscillate transversely, carrying energy along B without compression.