[1] A theory of finite-amplitude mirror type waves in non-Maxwellian space plasmas is developed. The collisionless kinetic theory in a guiding center approximation, modified for accounting of the finite ion Larmor radius effects, is used as the starting point. The model equation governing the nonlinear dynamics of mirror waves near instability threshold is derived. In the linear approximation it describes the classical mirror instability that is valid for a wide class of the velocity distribution functions. In the nonlinear regime the mirror waves form solitary structures that have the shape of magnetic holes. The formation of such structures and their nonlinear dynamics has been analyzed both analytically and numerically. It is suggested that the main nonlinear mechanism responsible for mirror instability saturation is associated with modification (flattening) of the shape of the background ion distribution function in the region of small parallel particle velocities. The width of this region is of the order of the particle trapping zone in the mirror hole. Near the mirror instability threshold the saturation arises before its width reaches the ion thermal velocity. The nonlinear mode coupling effects in this approximation are smaller and unable to take control over evolution of the space profile of saturated mirror waves or lead to their magnetic collapse. This results in the appearance of quasi-stable solitary mirror structures having the form of deep magnetic depressions. A phenomenological description of this process is formulated. The relevance of the theoretical results to recent satellite observations is stressed.

The nonlinear mechanism for kinetic-Alfvén-wave (KAW) excitation by upper-hybrid waves (UHWs) is discussed. Taking into account perpendicular dispersion of KAWs, caused by effects of finite ion Larmor radius and electron inertia, we examine a new channel for UHW decay, in which a pump UHW decays into another UHW and an ultralow-frequency wave, KAW: UHW→KAW+UHW. A nonlinear dispersion relation is derived, and the growth rate of the parametric decay instability is calculated for a pump UHW propagating at an arbitrary angle to the background magnetic field. We find that the resulting KAWs often have a two-peaked spectrum with different perpendicular dispersions. Using satellite observations, the analytical results are applied to show that the considered process represents an effective mechanism for KAW generation and the consequent spreading of the UHW spectrum in the Earth's magnetosphere and solar corona.

Abstract. Modeling propagation of VLF electromagnetic beams in the waveguide earth-ionosphere (WGEI) is of a great importance because variation in the characteristics of these waves is an effective instrument for diagnostics the influences on the ionosphere from above (Sun-Solar Wind-Magnetosphere-Ionosphere), from below (the most powerful meteorological, seismogenic and other sources in the lower atmosphere and lithosphere/Earth, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis etc.), from inside the ionosphere (strong thunderstorms and lightning discharges) and even from the far space (such as gamma-flashes, cosmic rays etc.). Thus, VLF became one of the most universal instrument for monitoringthe Space Weather in the direct sense of this term, i.e. the state of the Sun-Earth space and the ionosphere as it is particularly determined by all possible relatively powerful sources, wherever they are placed. This paper is devoted mostly to modelling VLF electromagnetic beam propagation in the WGEI. We present a new tensor impedance method for modelling propagation of electromagnetic beams (TIMEB) in a multi-layered/inhomogeneous waveguide. Suppose that such a waveguide, i.e. WGEI, possesses the gyrotropy and inhomogeneity with a thick cover layer placed above the waveguide. Note a very useful and attractive feature of the proposed TIMEB method: in spite of a large thickness of the waveguide cover layer, the proposed effective impedance approach reflects an impact of such a cover on the electromagnetic (EM) waves, which propagate in the waveguide. This impedance approach can be applied for EM waves/beams in layered gyrotropic/anisotropic active media in very wide frequency range, from VLF to optics. Moreover, this approach can be applied to calculations of EM waves/beams propagation in the media of an artificial origin such as metamaterial microwave or optical waveguides. The results of the modelling the propagation of VLF beams in the WGEI are included. The qualitative comparison between the theory and experimental observation of increasing losses of VLF waves in the WGEI is discussed. The new proposed method and its further development allows the comparison with the results of the future rocket experiment. This method allows to model (i) excitation of the VLF modes in the WGEI and their excitation by the typical VLF sources, such as radio wave transmitters and lightning discharges and (ii) leakage of VLF waves/beams into the upper ionosphere/magnetosphere.

The nonlinear mechanism of the transformation of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Alfvén waves to kinetic Alfvén waves (KAWs) in the homogeneous magnetized plasma with small plasma parameter β Ӷ 1 is investigated. As the generation mechanism, the parametric instability where the MHD Alfvén wave is the pumping wave is considered. On the basis of the two-fluid MHD and Vlasov equation, the nonlinear dispersion relation describing three-waves interaction, the instability growth rate and the threshold of the instability are found. The theoretical results are used for the interpretation of plasma heating in the solar corona.

The nonlinear parametric interaction of Alfven waves with magnetosonic and ion-acoustic waves is considered on the basis of two-fluid magnetohydrodynamics. A nonlinear dispersion relation describing three-wave interaction, instability growth rate have been calculated and estimated. The analyses of theoretical results shows that kinetic effects in the Alfven waves (the finite ion Larmour radius) are essential for the parametric interactions of waves. Nonlinear parametric processes studied in the paper could take place in the solar coronal loops, where plasma parameter is small. The products of the decay-magnetosonic and ion-acoustic waves, can effectively heat the coronal plasma in consequence of rapid dissipation.