The contribution of kinetic helicity to turbulent magnetic diffusivity
Abstract
Using numerical simulations of forced turbulence with and without mean kinetic helicity, we show that for magnetic Reynolds numbers larger than unity, that is, beyond the regime of quasilinear theory, the turbulent magnetic diffusivity attains an additional negative contribution that is quadratic in the kinetic helicity. In particular, for large magnetic Reynolds numbers, the turbulent magnetic diffusivity without helicity is about twice the value with helicity. Such a contribution was not previously anticipated, but, as we discuss, it turns out to be important when accurate estimates of the turbulent magnetic diffusivity are needed.
- Publication:
-
Astronomische Nachrichten
- Pub Date:
- August 2017
- DOI:
- 10.1002/asna.201713384
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1706.03421
- Bibcode:
- 2017AN....338..790B
- Keywords:
-
- magnetic fields;
- magnetohydrodynamics (MHD);
- turbulence;
- Physics - Fluid Dynamics;
- Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 4 pages, 4 figures, Astron. Nachr., in press