Generation of magnetic fields in a differentially rotating inhomogeneous plasma

Magnetothermal instability in a differentially rotating inhomogeneous plasma is analyzed on the basis of linearized equations for the electron component of the plasma, magnetic field induction, and heat balance. The differential rotation is shown to lead to an additional intensification of the magnetic field, arising in a weakly ionized plasma due to the magnetothermal instability. The results are important for the study of the differential rotation of astrophysical bodies (e.g., the sun).