Efficient quasi-kinematic large-scale dynamo as the small-scale dynamo saturates
Abstract
Large-scale magnetic fields in stars and galaxies are thought to arise by mean-field dynamo action due to the combined influence of both helical turbulence and shear. Those systems are also highly conducting and the turbulence therein leads to a fluctuation (or small-scale) dynamo which more rapidly amplifies magnetic field fluctuations on the eddy scales and smaller. Will this then interfere with and suppress the mean (or large-scale) field growth? Using direct numerical simulations of helical turbulence (with and without shear), we identify a novel quasi-kinematic large-scale dynamo which operates as the small-scale dynamo saturates. Thus both dynamos operate efficiently, one after the other, and lead to the generation of significant large-scale fields.
- Publication:
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arXiv e-prints
- Pub Date:
- May 2019
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1905.08278
- Bibcode:
- 2019arXiv190508278B
- Keywords:
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- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies;
- Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics;
- Physics - Fluid Dynamics;
- Physics - Plasma Physics
- E-Print:
- 8 pages, 11 figures. Comments/feedback/discussions are welcome