Models of solar differential rotation

Abstract

Models of a differentially rotating compressible convection zone are calculated, considering the inertial forces in the poloidal components of the equations of motion. Two driving mechanisms have been considered: latitude dependent heat transport and anisotropic viscosity. In the former case a meridional circulation is induced initially which in turn generates differential rotation, whereas in the latter case differential rotation is directly driven by the anisotropic viscosity, and the meridional circulation is a secondary effect.

In the case of anisotropic viscosity the choice of boundary conditions has a big influence on the results: depending on whether or not the conditions of vanishing pressure perturbation are imposed at the bottom of the convection zone, one obtains differential rotation with a fast (≥ 10 ms^?1) or a slow (～ 1 ms^?1) circulation. In the latter case the rotation law is mainly a function of radius and the rotation rate increases inwards if the viscosity is larger in radial direction than in the horizontal directions.

The models with latitude dependent heat transport exhibit a strong dependence on the Prandtl number. For values of the Prandtl number less than 0.2 the pole-equator temperature difference and the surface velocity of the meridional circulation are compatible with observations. For sufficiently small values of the Prandtl number the convection zone becomes globally unstable like a layer of fluid for which the critical Rayleigh number is exceeded.     

Nonlinear dynamics of boussinesq convection in a deep rotating spherical shell-i

Abstract

Convection in a rotating spherical shell has wide application for understanding the dynamics of the atmospheres and interiors of many celestial bodies. In this paper we review linear results for convection in a shell of finite depth at substantial but not asymptotically large Taylor numbers, present nonlinear multimode calculations for similar conditions, and discuss the model and results in the context of the problem of solar convection and differential rotation. Detailed nonlinear calculations are presented for Taylor number T = 10⁵, Prandtl number P = 1, and Rayleigh number R between 1 |MX 10⁴ and 4 |MX 10⁴ (which is between about 4 and 16 times critical) for a shell of depth 20% of the outer radius. Sixteen longitudinal wave numbers are usually included (all even wave numbers m between 0 and 30) the amplitudes of which are computed on a staggered grid in the meridian plane.

The kinetic energy spectrum shows a peak in the wave number range m = 12–18 at R = 10⁴, which straddles the critical wave number m = 14 predicted by linear theory. These are modes which peak near the equator. The spectrum shows a second strong peak at m = 0, which represents the differential rotation driven by the peak convective modes. As R is increased, the amplitude of low wave numbers increases relative to high wave numbers as convection fills in in high and middle latitudes, and as the longitudinal scale of equatorial convection grows. By R = 3 |MX 10⁴, m = 8 is the peak convective mode. There is a clear minimum in the total kinetic energy at middle latitudes relative to low and high, well into the nonlinear regime, representing the continued dominance of equatorial and polar modes found in the linear case. The kinetic energy spectrum for m > 0 is maintained primarily by buoyancy work in each mode, but with substantial nonlinear transfer of kinetic energy from the peak modes to both lower and higher wave numbers.

For R = 1 to 2 |MX 10⁴, the differential rotation takes the form of an equatorial acceleration, with angular velocity generally decreasing with latitude away from the equator (as on the sun) and decreasing inwards. By R = 4 |MX 10⁴, this equatorial profile has completely reversed, with angular velocity increasing with depth and latitude. Also, a polar vortex which has positive rotation relative to the reference frame (no evidence of which has been seen on the sun) builds up as soon as polar modes become important. Meridional circulation is quite weak relative to differential rotation at R = 10⁴, but grows relative to it as R is increased. This circulation takes the farm of a single cell of large latitudinal extent in equatorial regions, with upward flow near the equator, together with a series of narrower cells in high latitudes. It is maintained primarily by axisymmetric buoyancy forces. The differential rotation is maintained at all R primarily by Reynolds stresses, rather than meridional circulation. Angular momentum transport toward the equator for R = 1–2 |MX 10⁴ maintains the equatorial acceleration while radially inward transport maintains the opposite profile at R = 4 |MX 10⁴.

The total heat flux out the top of the convective shell always shows two peaks for the range of R studied, one at the equator and the other near the poles (no significant variation with latitude is seen on the sun), while heat flux in at the bottom shows only a polar peak at large R. The meridional circulation and convective cells transport heat toward the equator to maintain this difference.

The helicity of the convection plus the differential rotation produced by it suggest the system may be capable of driving a field reversing dynamo, but the toroidal field may migrate with lime in each cycle toward the poles and equator, rather than just toward the equator as apparently occurs on the sun.

We finally outline additions to the physics of the model to make it more realistic for solar application.     

Turbulent transport of angular momentum and differential rotation

Abstract

With the help of simplifying approximations, we have derived expressions for the non-diffusive fluxes of the angular momentum which are brought about by the action of Coriolis forces on the convective motion. The original turbulence, which is not perturbed by the Coriolis forces, is considered given and weakly anisotropic, the anisotropy having a preferred radial direction. The eddy viscosities are evaluated. Hence, a closed equation for the angular velocity is derived, and then solved for the case of slow rotation. It is shown that the differential rotation is generated most effectively in the case of moderate rotation when the Rossby number is of order unity. At small Rossby numbers, the rotation differentiality is inhibited. A negative eddy viscosity is suggested for the case of rapid rotation. Some implications for the Sun and other astrophysical objects are discussed.     

Shear instability of differential rotation in stars

Abstract

The two-dimensional (horizontal) shear instability of a differentially rotating star is examined. A solar-type rotation law is investigated. and it is found that for equatorial accelerations there is instability when there is a difference of 29% between the angular velocity of the equator and the poles.     

Equivalent gravity modes—An interim evaluation

Abstract

The behavior of the main solar semidiurnal tidal mode in a dissipative atmosphere is studied both in a rotating spherical atmosphere and by means of the equivalent gravity mode approximation. The former involves the neumerical solution of a two dimensional partial differential equation which (due to the presence of friction) is non-separable. The latter involves approximating the tidal mode at the equator by means of an internal gravity wave on a non-rotating plane; this approximation has been used extensively in earlier studies of the behavior of atmospheric tides in the thermosphere where viscosity assumes dominant importance. In the present study, dissipation is modelled by Newtonian cooling and Rayleigh. friction, both of which are taken to increase inversely with mean density. Coefficients are chosen to crudely simulate the effects of molecular viscosity and conductivity. The results of this study provide an opportunity to evaluate the equivalent gravity mode formalism. Our main findings are:

(i) Below 130 km, where friction is unimportant, equivalent gravity mode results are, for all practical purposes, identical to those at the equator obtained from a spherical calculation.

(ii) Above 130 km amplitudes over the equator obtained from the spherical calculation are about 30% smaller than those obtained from the equivalent gravity mode calculations. Also, there is a 15°xs (½ hour) difference in phase.

(iii) The amplitude reduction over the equator, cited above, is associated with a broadening of the latitude distribution of amplitude for the oscillatory pressure and temperature fields within the thermosphere. There is also a significant variation of phase with latitude within the thermosphere. Associated with the above variations are significant changes in the latitude distribution of horizontal velocity within the thermosphere.     

Nonlinear diffusive instabilities in differentially rotating stars

Abstract

Angular momentum driven instabilities in a stratified differentially rotating star are investigated. In the strong buoyancy limit axisymmetric instabilities of the Goldreich-Schubert type are the most important. A detailed discussion of the linear and small amplitude theories at an arbitrary latitude is given. The bifurcation to finite amplitude steady modes is typically transcritical, and occurs whenever the angular momentum or its gradient is neither parallel not perpendicular to local gravity. Such misalignments enhance the time scale for transport of angular momentum by the Goldreich-Schubert instability. Depending on the turbulent viscosity produced by secondary shear instabilities time scales as short as the Kelvin-Helmholtz time scale are possible.     

The vertical structure of tidal currents

Abstract

The accuracy to which the vertical structure of tidal currents can be predicted is examined. Theoretical models for current structure are developed employing (a) a constant eddy viscosity E = ε and (b) an eddy viscosity varying linearly with height above the sea bed z; E(z)=βz. By requiring these models to satisfy the commonly accepted quadratic friction law, the condition ε>½k is deduced where k is the bed friction coefficient, W a representative velocity and D the depth.

The sense of rotation of a current ellipse is shown to be related to the configuration of co-tidal charts. The vertical structure of the current ellipse is illustrated from the theoretical models and the sensitivity of this structure is examined for the following variables: (a) eddy viscosity ε or βz, (b) the bed friction parameter kW, (c) rotation of the prescribed pressure gradients and (d) tidal period. While reasonable agreement between observed and calculated current profiles may often be reported, precise agreement is shown to depend upon accurate specification of both eddy viscosity and the bed stress condition.     

The α-Effect and Current Helicity for Fast Sheared Rotators

We explore the f -effect and the small-scale current helicity, , for the case of weakly compressible magnetically driven turbulence that is subjected to the differential rotation. No restriction is applied to the amplitude of angular velocity, i.e., the derivations presented are valid for an arbitrary Coriolis number, z * = 2 z cor , though the differential rotation itself is assumed to be weak. The expressions obtained are used to explore the possible distributions of f -effect and h c in convection zones (CZ) of the solar-type stars. Generally, our theory gives f { { > 0 in the northern hemisphere of the Sun and the opposite case in the southern hemisphere. In most cases the h c has the opposite sign to f { { . However, we show that in the depth of CZ where the influence of rotation upon turbulence (associated with z *) and the radial shear of angular velocity are strong, the distribution of f { { might be drastically different from a classical cos è -dependence, where è is colatitude. It is shown that f { { has a negative sign at the bottom and below of CZ at mid latitudes. There, the distribution of h c is also different from cos è , but it does not change its sign with the depth. Further, we briefly consider these quantities in the disk geometry. The application of the developed theory to dynamos in the accretion disk is more restrictive because they usually have a strong differential rotation, | ‘ log z / ‘ log r | > 1.     

Turbulent transport of angular momentum in magnetized fluids and torsional oscillations of the sun

Abstract

Fluxes of angular momentum produced by turbulence in rotating fluids are derived with the effects of a magnetic field included. It is assumed that the rotation is slow but that the magnetic field is of arbitrary strength. A mean magnetic field is shown to produce qualitative changes of the sources of the differential rotation rather than the quenching of differential rotation usually expected. A new equatorward flux of angular momentum arises through the influence of the toroidal magnetic field. The possibility of interpreting the torsional oscillations of the Sun as a consequence of the magnetic perturbations of the turbulent angular momentum fluxes is discussed.     

A note on the heat transfer by the axisymmetric thermal convection in a rotating fluid annulus

Abstract

Some new measurements are presented of the axisymmetric heat transport in a differentially heated rotating fluid annulus. Both rigid and free upper surface cases are studied, for Prandtl numbers of 7 and 45, from low to high rotation rates. The rigid lid case is extended to high rotation rates by suppressing the baroclinic waves, that would normally develop at some intermediate rotation rate, with the use of sloping endwalls.

A parameter P is defined as the square of the ratio of the (non-rotating) thermal sidewall layer thickness to the Ekman layer thickness. For small P the heat transport remains unaffected by the rotation, but as P increases to order unity the Ekman layer becomes thin enough to inhibit the radial mass transport, and hence the heat flux. No explicit Prandtl number dependence is observed. Also this scaling allows the identification of the region in which the azimuthal velocity reaches its maximum. Direct comparisons are drawn with previous experimental and numerical results, which show what can be interpreted as an inhibiting effect of increasing curvature on the heat transport.     

Self‐convection of floating heat sources: A model for continental drift

Abstract

Two models of floating heat sources are studied. In the first model the motion of two line heat sources constrained to float at an arbitrary depth in a viscous fluid is determined in the limit of small convection velocities. It is found that the sources drift apart and at great separation attain a constant velocity proportional to the square root of the heat flux. The second model is a floating block heat source, presumed to be very long compared to its depth. It is found to exhibit periodic excursions between the end walls of the fluid container with the same dependence of velocity on heat flux as the line sources. A series of experiments are described which exhibit various features of the theory. The numerical values found when the theory is applied to the earth suggest that the idealized flows may be useful in the interpretation of continental drift.     

The mass transport velocity induced by free oscillations at a single frequency

Abstract

Second order effects due to the presence of a first order free oscillation at a single frequency in a variable depth rotating ocean are examined. It is found that the second order Lagrangian mean velocity (mass transport velocity) satisfies the linearized equations for unforced steady geostrophic motion. This implies that if the ocean basin is laterally bounded and contains no closed geostrophic contours, the second order Lagrangian mean velocity vanishes everywhere.     

Galactic dynamo models without sharp boundaries

Abstract

A new numerical approach is introduced which allows investigation into the conditions for dynamogeneration of axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric large-scale magnetic field modes in galaxy models which are defined by axisymmetric distributions of the α-parameter, the angular velocity and the electrical conductivity. The velocity field is assumed to be localized, however, the common assumption of a sharp boundary of the conducting region is dropped.

The possible anisotropy of the α-tensor is taken into account. The critical dynamo numbers (excitation conditions) for different modes are obtained by a direct method. The required steady states are attained by the use of an artificial non-linearity.

Initial test calculations demonstrate the efficacy of this new concept.     

A laboratory demonstration of angular momentum mixing

Abstract

It is successfully demonstrated that substantial redistribution of the angular momentum within a completely liquid-filled cylinder in uniform rotation can be brought about by the induction of turbulent mixing through the resonant excitation of standing inertial waves. This means of mixing is accomplished without significant net circulation in the meridional plane, or strong boundary restraint.

Intense cyclonic vortices are created with an apparently high conversion of energy from the inertial wave excited. Visualizations and measurements of vortex strength and circulation distribution are presented and dimensional arguments are applied to interpret from the measurements the partition of the turbulence into relative velocity- and angular momentum-diffusing elements. This indicates tentatively the mechanism responsible; momentum advected by the inertial wave is irreversibly diffused by turbulence of smaller scale. Anisotropy with enhanced radial transport is an essential feature of the nett turbulence in such a mechanism. Similar combinations of large-scale waves and turbulence can be expected to occur in the geophysical situations to which the phenomenon of angular momentum mixing relates. The experiment does not, however, test the effectiveness of isotropic turbulence in the same rôle.     

Convective instability when the temperature gradient and rotation vector are oblique to gravity. II. Real fluids with effects of diffusion

Abstract

The linear stability analysis of Hathaway, Gilman and Toomre (1979) (hereafter referred to as Paper I) is repeated for Boussinesq fluids with viscous and thermal diffusion. As in Paper I the fluid is confined between plane parallel boundaries and the rotation vector is oblique to gravity. This tilted rotation vector introduces a preference for roll-like disturbances whose axes are oriented north-south; the preference is particularly strong in the equatorial region. The presence of a latitudinal temperature gradient produces a thermal wind shear which favors axisymmetric convective rolls if the gradient exceeds some critical value. For vanishingly small diffusivities the value of this transition temperature gradient approaches the inviscid value found in Paper I. For larger diffusivities larger gradients are required particularly in the high latitudes. These results are largely independent of the Prandtl number. Diffusion tends to stabilize the large wavenumber rolls with the result that a unique wavenumber can be found at which the growth rate is maximized. These preferred rolls have widths comparable to the depth of the layer and tend to be broader near the equator. The axisymmetric rolls are similar in many respects to the cloud bands on Jupiter provided they extend to a depth of about 15,000 km.     

Shear flow instabilities in a rotating system

Abstract

The stability of a plane parallel shear flow with the profile U(z) = tanh z is considered in a rotating system with the axis of rotation in the z-direction. The establishment of the basic flow requires a baroclinic state, but baroclinic effects are suppressed in the stability analysis by assuming a limit of high thermal conductivity. It is shown that the strongest growing disturbance changes from a purely transverse form in the limit of vanishing rotation rate to a nearly longitudinal form as the angular velocity of rotation increases. An analytical solution of the stability equation is obtained for vanishing growth rates of the transverse form of the instability. But, in general, the solution of the problem requires numerical integrations which demonstrate that the preferred direction of the wave vector of the instability is towards the left of the direction of the mean flow.     

Publications received by the Editor

Abstract

Temperature profiles (temperature as function of depth) can be used to derive vertical flow velocities or recharge rates. In many cases, solutions to the one-dimensional (1-D) heat transport equation are used, considering steady-state boundary conditions. Factors which can influence the derivation of the mean vertical flow velocity are studied here. Therefore, an explicit finite-difference approximation to the 1-D heat transport equation coupled with an inverse scheme was used to interpret temperature profiles. Measurement error (larger than 0.05°C) can result in important deviation of the derived mean flow velocity. Variation of vertical flow velocity as a function of time leads to asymmetric temperature envelopes. Yearly variation in vertical flow velocities, or temperature variations of the recharge water, also results in asymmetric temperature envelopes. Interpretation of these asymmetric envelopes leads to important differences between derived and actual mean vertical flow velocities.

Citation Vandenbohede, A. &; Lebbe, L. (2010) Vandenbohede, A. and Lebbe, L. 2010. Parameter estimation based on vertical heat transport in the surficial zone. Hydrogeol. J., 18 , 931–943,doi:10.1007/s10040-009–0557–5 [Google Scholar] Recharge assessment by means of vertical temperature profiles: analysis of possible influences. Hydrol. Sci. J. 55(5), 792–804.     

The rotational quenching of the rotation-induced kinetic alpha-effect

Abstract

A theory of the non-diffusive anisotropic kinetic alpha-effect (“Γ-effect”) for densitystratified rotating turbulent fluids is developed. No limitations on the rotation rate are imposed and the fully nonlinear dependence of the Γ-effect on the angular velocity is studied. When the Coriolis number, ω? = 2τ ω, is small the dimensionless “dynamo number”, Cτ, characterising the power of the Γ-effect, grows with ω?. The dependence, however, reaches a maximum for ω? ～ 2. For still higher rotation rates C_Λ decreases as 1/ω?. In opposition, the corresponding number, C_x, of the hydromagnetic α² -dynamo problems remains finite for very large ω?. Hence, for fast rotation the hydrodynamic Γ-effect is small while the hydromagnetic α-effect remains large. In consequence, the large-scale magnetic and velocity structures are expected to be generated with roughly equal power in slowly rotating objects. In the rapid rotators, however, generation of the large-scale flows is problematic.