The Alfven continuum of an asymmetric plasma configuration that is an
exact solution of the equilibrium equations of ideal magnetohydrodynam
ics is treated. The equilibrium is parallel to an infinite straight ma
gnetic axis about which the magnetic lines of force form closed magnet
ic surfaces. Properties of the governing continuum equation for small
plasma beta are explored, and the associated spectrum is determined. T
he continuum has a localized component characterized by modes that dec
ay to zero along magnetic field lines, and a non-localized component c
haracterized by modes that approach non-zero constants at the plasma e
nds. The localized component is restricted to real frequencies, while
the non-localized component covers the entire complex frequency plane.
The non-localized modes can be joined generally with those on neighbo
ring field lines to form modes that smoothly cover the entire magnetic
surface. The localized modes do not occur in symmetric plasmas. (C) 1
997 American Institute of Physics.