Peculiarities of the propagation of the fast magnetosonic mode in a
curved magnetic field: a case of the hemicylindrical model of the
magnetosphere
Abstract
The propagation of the fast magnetosonic (FMS) wave in the curved
magnetic field is studied. A hemicylindrical model of the magnetosphere
is considered where the magnetic field lines are represented by
concentric circles. An ordinary differential equation is derived
describing the coupled Alfv\’en and FMS waves. Using the
equation, it was demonstrated that in the curved field the propagation
of the fast mode is drastically different from the propagation in the
planar magnetic field. In particular, on the magnetic surface known as
the reflection surface for the fast mode in the planar magnetic field,
there is a wave singularity where some components of the wave’s magnetic
field (the azimuthal and compressional components) as well as the plasma
density have logarithmic singularity. The physical reason for this
singularity is the decrease of the volume of the magnetic flux tube
toward the axis of the cylinder.