Kinetic Alfvén waves in extended radio sources

A model of inhomogeneous extended radio sources (ERS), such as extragalactic jets and radio lobes, in which noncompressive Alfven and surface Alfven waves (SAWs) are primarily excited is presented. A negligible thermal population is assumed to exist. Results show that SAWs are mode converted to kinetic Alfven waves (KAWs) which produce large moving accelerating potentials. These potentials are suggested to be important in acceleration and reacceleration of electrons in ERSs. Energy losses by synchrotron radiation may be compensated by the reacceleration due to KAWs. (R.R.)