Non-Gaussian probability distribution functions in two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

Intermittency in MHD turbulence has been analyzed using high-resolution 2D numerical simulations. We show that the Probability Distribution Functions (PDFs) of the fluctuations of the Elsasser fields, magnetic field and veloc ity field depend on the scale at hand, that is they are self-affine. The de parture of the PDFs from a Gaussian function can be described through the s caling behavior of a single parameter lambda(r)(2) obtained by fitting the PDFs with a given curve stemming from the analysis of a multiplicative mode l by Castaing et al. (Physica D, 46 (1990) 177). The scaling behavior of th e parameter lambda(r)(2) can be used to extract information about the inter mittency. A comparison of intermittency properties in different MHD turbule nt flows is also performed.