Chaotic dynamics of large-amplitude alfvén-wave trains in the solar wind. Original Research Article

The chaotic dynamics of a driven-dissipative Alfvén system is studied by analyzing the stationary solutions of the derivative nonlinear Schrödinger equation. We demonstrate that there are two types of Alfvén intermittency. In the Pomeau-Manneville intermittency, the time series of magnetic field fluctuations switches intermittently between nearly periodic and chaotic states; whereas, in the crisis-induced intermittency, the time series of magnetic field fluctuations switches intermittently between weakly and strongly chaotic states. These nonlinear dynamic phenomena can improve our understanding of Alfvénic chaos and turbulence observed in the solar wind.