Multiple polarization of geodesic curvature induced modes

Dispersion relations for geodesic acoustic modes are derived by using the Grad hydrodynamic equations thereby reconciling long known but not previously explained discrepancy between the results of kinetic and fluid calculations. Extended fluid theory allows a simple analysis of mode polarization and coupling. A new type of electromagnetic modes induced by geodesic compressibility is predicted. These modes are related to Alfvén and geodesic acoustic modes. While a standard geodesic acoustic mode involves poloidally and toroidally symmetric perturbations of electrostatic potential (m=n=0) and the first poloidal side-bands of plasma pressure, new modes involve side-bands of the electrostatic and vector potential as well as pressure perturbations at zeroth and second harmonics. It is shown that there exist two different values of the adiabatic constant depending on the mode polarization. Both standard (electrostatic) geodesic acoustic modes and new electromagnetic modes involve finite perturbations of parallel viscosity, which modify an effective adiabatic (compressibility) index for a toroidal plasma.