Numerical measurements of the spectrum in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
Abstract
We report the results of an extensive set of direct numerical simulations of forced, incompressible, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence with a strong guide field. The aim is to resolve the controversy regarding the power-law exponent ( α , say) of the field-perpendicular energy spectrum E(k⊥)∝k⊥α . The two main theoretical predictions α=-3/2 and α=-5/3 have both received some support from differently designed numerical simulations. Our calculations have a resolution of 5123 mesh points, a strong guide field, and an anisotropic simulation domain and implement a broad range of large-scale forcing routines, including those previously reported in the literature. Our findings indicate that the spectrum of well-developed, strong incompressible MHD turbulence with a strong guide field is E(k⊥)∝k⊥-3/2 .
- Publication:
-
Physical Review E
- Pub Date:
- March 2008
- DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevE.77.036403
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0706.2003
- Bibcode:
- 2008PhRvE..77c6403M
- Keywords:
-
- 52.30.Cv;
- 52.35.Ra;
- 52.65.Kj;
- 95.30.Qd;
- Magnetohydrodynamics;
- Plasma turbulence;
- Magnetohydrodynamic and fluid equation;
- Magnetohydrodynamics and plasmas;
- Astrophysics;
- Nonlinear Sciences - Chaotic Dynamics;
- Physics - Fluid Dynamics;
- Physics - Plasma Physics
- E-Print:
- 4 pages, 2 figures