Solar wind turbulent spectrum from MHD to electron scales

Abstract

Turbulent spectra of magnetic fluctuations in the free solar wind are studied from MHD to electron scales using Cluster observations. We discuss the problem of the instrumental noise and its influence on the measurements at the electron scales. We confirm the presence of a curvature of the spectrum ∼exp √kρe over the broad frequency range ∼ [10,100] Hz, indicating the presence of a dissipation. Analysis of seven spectra under different plasma conditions show clearly the presence of a quasi-universal power-law spectrum at MHD and ion scales. However, the transition from the inertial range ∼k-1.7 to the spectrum at ion scales ∼k -2.7 is not universal. Finally, we discuss the role of different kinetic plasma scales on the spectral shape, considering normalized dimensionless spectra. © 2010 American Institute of Physics.