Parametric Excitation of Alfven Waves by Gravitational Radiation

Abstract

We consider the parametric excitation of Alfven waves by gravitational radiation propagating on a Minkowski background, parallel to an external magnetic field. As a starting point, standard ideal MHD equations incorporating the curvature of space-time has been derived. The growth rate of the Alfven waves has been calculated, using the normal mode approach. Various astrophysical applications of our investigations are discussed, and finally we demonstrate that the coupling coefficients of the interacting modes fulfill the Manley-Rowe relations.

8 pages, no figures, accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. E, the discussion of the Manley-Rowe relations is revised