On the interpretation and applicability of $\kappa$-distributions

Abstract

The generally accepted representation of $\kappa$-distributions in space plasma physics allows for two different alternatives, namely assuming either the temperature or the thermal velocity to be $\kappa$-independent. The present paper aims to clarify the issue concerning which of the two possible choices and the related physical interpretation is the correct one. A quantitative comparison of the consequences of the use of both distributions for specific physical systems leads to their correct interpretation. It is found that both alternatives can be realized, but are valid for principally different physical systems. The investigation demonstrates that, before employing one of the two alternatives, one should be conscious about the nature of the physical system one intends to describe, otherwise one would possibly obtain unphysical results.

References in corpus (2)

• The Formation of Kappa-Distribution Accelerated Electron Populations in Solar Flares
• Gibbsian theory of power law distributions

Cited by in corpus (36)

• Electron Power-Law Spectra in Solar and Space Plasmas
• Electron energy partition across interplanetary shocks: I. Methodology and Data Product
• Dual Maxwellian-Kappa modelling of the solar wind electrons: new clues on the temperature of Kappa populations
• Clarifying the solar wind heat-flux instabilities
• Non-Maxwellian analysis of the transition-region line profiles observed by the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph
• First evidence of non-Gaussian solar flare EUV spectral line profiles and accelerated non-thermal ion motion
• Moments of the anisotropic regularized $\kappa$-distributions
• On the applicability of $\kappa$-distributions
• On the Relation between Kappa Distribution Functions and the Plasma Beta Parameter in the Earth Magnetosphere: THEMIS observations
• General dispersion properties of magnetized plasmas with drifting bi-Kappa distributions. DIS-K: DIspersion Solver for Kappa plasmas
• On the entropy of plasmas described with regularized $\kappa$-distributions
• Whistler instability stimulated by the suprathermal electrons present in space plasmas
• Linear Dispersion Theory of Parallel Electromagnetic Modes for Regularized Kappa-Distributions
• Towards a general quasi-linear approach for the instabilities of bi-Kappa plasmas. Whistler instability
• Electromagnetic ion cyclotron instability stimulated by the suprathermal ions in space plasmas: A quasi-linear approach
• Effects of suprathermal electrons on the proton temperature anisotropy in space plasmas: Electromagnetic ion-cyclotron instability
• A new low-beta regime for unstable proton firehose modes in bi-Kappa distributed plasmas
• Generalized anisotropic $\kappa$-cookbook: 2D fitting of Ulysses electron data
• Towards a realistic evaluation of transport coefficients in non-equilibrium space plasmas
• An improved method to derive the kappa distribution in polytropic plasmas
• Ponderomotive forces in unmagnetized plasmas described by Kappa distribution functions
• Uncertainties in the heliosheath ion temperatures
• Effects of suprathermal electrons on electron-acoustic instabilities
• Temperature anisotropy instabilities of solar wind electrons with regularized Kappa-halos resolved with ALPS
• Electron Energization in Quasi-Parallel Shocks: Test-Particle-Electrons in a Proton Driven Turbulence
• Different effects of suprathermal electrons and ions on drift instabilities in non-uniform plasmas
• Ponderomotive forces in magnetized non-thermal space plasmas due to cyclotron waves
• Estimating Ion Temperatures at the Polar Coronal Hole Boundary
• Kinetic theory of ${\mathrm{sech}}^{2}x$ electron holes and applications to Kappa-distributed plasmas
• Numerical simulations of temperature anisotropy instabilities stimulated by suprathermal protons
• Weakly turbulent plasma processes in the presence of inverse power-law velocity tail population
• Collisional charging of dust particles by suprathermal particles. I -- Standard anisotropic Kappa distributions
• Heat-flux Instabilities of Regularized Kappa Distributed Strahl Electrons Resolved with ALPS
• Multi-diagnostic convergence: a single measurement in weakly collisional plasmas
• Plasma Diagnostics From Active Region and Quiet Sun Spectra Observed by Hinode/EIS: Quantifying the Departures from a Maxwellian Distribution
• Transport coefficients enhanced by suprathermal particles in nonequilibrium heliospheric plasmas