Authors: Syed Ayaz (CSPAR UAH), Gary P. Zank (CSPAR UAH)

Alfvén wave heating constitutes a central problem in space plasma physics, where non-Maxwellian particle distributions are often observed. In this study, the dispersion relations and Landau damping of Alfvén waves in kinetic and inertial limits are studied in temperature anisotropic Cairns-distributed plasma. By employing kinetic theory, we investigate how the single non-thermal parameter (Λ) in the Cairns distribution and temperature anisotropy impact the dynamics of the waves. We found that the real frequency of KAWs is enhanced when either the electron perpendicular temperature or the non-thermal parameter Λ increases. For – IAWs, it is slightly affected by the electron temperature anisotropy and Λ. Besides the real frequencies, the damping rate of KAWs is reduced when the electron perpendicular temperature or Λ increases. In the case of IAWs, the temperature anisotropy and Λ either enhance or reduce the damping rate depending on the perpendicular wavelength (k_⊥ ρ_i ). The results clarify the dynamics of KAWs and IAWs in space plasmas where non-Maxwellian distributions of particles are observed routinely.