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TURBULENT DYNAMOS WITH SHEAR AND FRACTIONAL HELICITY
- Source :
- The Astrophysical Journal; July 2009, Vol. 699 Issue: 2 p1059-1066, 8p
- Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Dynamo action owing to helically forced turbulence and large-scale shear is studied using direct numerical simulations. The resulting magnetic field displays propagating wave-like behavior. This behavior can be modeled in terms of an aO dynamo. In most cases super-equipartition fields are generated. By varying the fraction of helicity of the turbulence the regeneration of poloidal fields via the helicity effect (corresponding to the a-effect) is regulated. The saturation level of the magnetic field in the numerical models is consistent with a linear dependence on the ratio of the fractional helicities of the small and large-scale fields, as predicted by a simple nonlinear mean-field model. As the magnetic Reynolds number (Re M ) based on the wavenumber of the energy-carrying eddies is increased from 1 to 180, the cycle frequency of the large-scale field is found to decrease by a factor of about 6 in cases where the turbulence is fully helical. This is interpreted in terms of the turbulent magnetic diffusivity, which is found to be only weakly dependent on the Re M .
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0004637X and 15384357
- Volume :
- 699
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Publication Type :
- Periodical
- Accession number :
- ejs19032860