Role of Kinetic Electrons in Alfvén Wave Parametric Decay Instability: 1D Open-Boundary Particle Simulations

The Alfven wave parametric decay instability (PDI) is an important nonlinear mechanism that facilitates energy transfer, plasma heating, and turbulence generation in space and astrophysical plasmas. The simulation studies of Alfven wave PDI have mostly focused on kinetic ions, with a few also explored kinetic electrons but under periodic boundary conditions. In this work, we investigate the role of kinetic electrons in the Alfven wave PDI using the open-source SMILEI particle-in-cell code in one spatial dimension under realistic open-boundary conditions. The parameters explored correspond to typical conditions found in the Large Plasma Device at UCLA. The energy transfer from the pump wave to the child modes, as well as the partition between electrons and ions, are examined against a range of wave and plasma parameters. The feedback of electron heating on PDI is investigated by tuning the electron thermal speed close to the Alfven wave speed, where electron Landau damping of the Alfven wave is expected. We also explore dimensionless parameters relevant to space plasma conditions such as in the solar coronal region and solar wind. The results can be used to inform laboratory experimental studies, and aid the interpretation of space observations.