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Mean field transport in stratified and/or rotating turbulence
Stockholm University, Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (Nordita). Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Astronomy.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7304-021X
Stockholm University, Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (Nordita). Stockholm University, Faculty of Science, Department of Astronomy.
2012 (English)In: Astronomy and Astrophysics, ISSN 0004-6361, E-ISSN 1432-0746, Vol. 539, p. A35-Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Context. The large-scale magnetic fields of stars and galaxies are often described in the framework of mean-field dynamo theory. At moderate magnetic Reynolds numbers, the transport coefficients defining the mean electromotive force can be determined from simulations. This applies analogously also to passive scalar transport. Aims. We investigate the mean electromotive force in the kinematic framework, that is, ignoring the back-reaction of the magnetic field on the fluid velocity, under the assumption of axisymmetric turbulence determined by the presence of either rotation, density stratification, or both. We use an analogous approach for the mean passive scalar flux. As an alternative to convection, we consider forced turbulence in an isothermal layer. When using standard ansatzes, the mean magnetic transport is then determined by nine, and the mean passive scalar transport by four coefficients. We give results for all these transport coefficients. Methods. We use the test-field method and the test-scalar method, where transport coefficients are determined by solving sets of equations with properly chosen mean magnetic fields or mean scalars. These methods are adapted to mean fields which may depend on all three space coordinates. Results. We find the anisotropy of turbulent diffusion to be moderate in spite of rapid rotation or strong density stratification. Contributions to the mean electromotive force determined by the symmetric part of the gradient tensor of the mean magnetic field, which were ignored in several earlier investigations, turn out to be important. In stratified rotating turbulence, the a effect is strongly anisotropic, suppressed along the rotation axis on large length scales, but strongly enhanced at intermediate length scales. Also the Omega x (J) over bar effect is enhanced at intermediate length scales. The turbulent passive scalar diffusivity is typically almost twice as large as the turbulent magnetic diffusivity. Both magnetic and passive scalar diffusion are slightly enhanced along the rotation axis, but decreased if there is gravity. Conclusions. The test-field and test-scalar methods provide powerful tools for analyzing transport properties of axisymmetric turbulence. Future applications are proposed ranging from anisotropic turbulence due to the presence of a uniform magnetic field to inhomogeneous turbulence where the specific entropy is nonuniform, for example. Some of the contributions to the mean electromotive force which have been ignored in several earlier investigations, in particular those given by the symmetric part of the gradient tensor of the mean magnetic field, turn out to be of significant magnitude.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2012. Vol. 539, p. A35-
Keywords [en]
magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), hydrodynamics, turbulence, Sun: dynamo
National Category
Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:su:diva-80152DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201117871ISI: 000303262000042OAI: oai:DiVA.org:su-80152DiVA, id: diva2:552951
Note

AuthorCount:3;

Available from: 2012-09-17 Created: 2012-09-12 Last updated: 2022-02-24Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. From mean-field hydromagnetics to solar magnetic flux concentrations
Open this publication in new window or tab >>From mean-field hydromagnetics to solar magnetic flux concentrations
2012 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The main idea behind the work presented in this thesis is to investigate if it is possible to find a mechanism that leads to surface magnetic field concentrations and could operate under solar conditions without postulating the presence of magnetic flux tubes rising from the bottom of the convection zone, a commonly used yet physically problematic approach.

In this context we study the ‘negative effective magnetic pressure effect’: it was pointed out in earlier work (Kleeorin et al., 1989) that the presence of a weak magnetic field can lead to a reduction of the mean turbulent pressure on large length scales. This reduction is now indeed clearly observed in simulations.

As magnetic fluctuations experience an unstable feedback through this effect, it leads, in a stratified medium, to the formation of magnetic structures, first observed numerically in the fifth paper of this thesis. While our setup is relatively simple, one wonders if this instability, as a mechanism able to concentrate magnetic fields in the near surface layers, may play a role in the formation of sunspots, starting from a weak dynamo-generated field throughout the convection zone rather than from strong flux tubes stored at the bottom.

A generalization of the studied case is ongoing.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: Department of Astronomy, Stockholm University, 2012. p. 51
Keywords
magneto-hydrodynamics, solar physics, turbulence
National Category
Astronomy, Astrophysics and Cosmology
Research subject
Astronomy
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:su:diva-80817 (URN)978-91-7447-576-0 (ISBN)
Public defence
2012-10-26, sal FB42 , AlbaNova universitetscentrum, Roslagstullsbacken 21, Stockholm, 13:30 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Note

At the time of the the doctoral defence the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper nr 7: Submitted

Available from: 2012-10-04 Created: 2012-09-28 Last updated: 2022-02-24Bibliographically approved

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Brandenburg, AxelKemel, Koen

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