Numerical simulations of MHD dynamos

The generation of magnetic fields in space plasmas and in astrophysics is usually described within the framework of magnetohydrodynamics. Turbulent helical flows produce magnetic fields very efficiently, with correlation length scales larger than those characterizing the flow. Within the context of the solar magnetic cycle, a turbulent dynamo is responsible for the so-called alpha effect, while the Omega effect is associated to the differential rotation of the Sun.We present direct numerical simulations of turbulent magnetohydrodynamic dynamos including two-fluid effects such as the Hall current. More specifically, we study the evolution of an initially weak and small-scale magnetic field in a system maintained in a stationary regime of hydrodynamic turbulence, and explore the conditions for exponential growth of the magnetic energy. In all the cases considered, we find that the dynamo saturates at the equipartition level between kinetic and magnetic energy, and the total energy reaches a Kolmogorov power spectrum.     

The Riga Dynamo Experiment

Cosmic magnetic fields, including the magnetic field of the Earth,are produced by the homogeneous dynamo effect in moving electricallyconducting fluids. We sketch the history of the underlying theoryand comment on previous attempts to realize homogeneous dynamos inthe laboratory. For the main part, we report on two series ofexperiments carried out at the Riga dynamo facility. In November1999 a slowly growing magnetic field eigenmode was observed forthe first time in a liquid metal experiment. In July 2000, themagnetic field saturation regime was studied and a number ofinteresting back-reaction effects were observed. A preliminaryinterpretation of the measured data is also presented.     

Kinematic dynamo action in spherical Couette flow

We investigate numerically kinematic dynamos driven by flow of electrically conducting fluid in the shell between two concentric differentially rotating spheres, a configuration normally referred to as spherical Couette flow. We compare between axisymmetric (2D) and fully 3D flows, between low and high global rotation rates, between prograde and retrograde differential rotations, between weak and strong nonlinear inertial forces, between insulating and conducting boundaries and between two aspect ratios. The main results are as follows. Azimuthally drifting Rossby waves arising from the destabilisation of the Stewartson shear layer are crucial to dynamo action. Differential rotation and helical Rossby waves combine to contribute to the spherical Couette dynamo. At a slow global rotation rate, the direction of differential rotation plays an important role in the dynamo because of different patterns of Rossby waves in prograde and retrograde flows. At a rapid global rotation rate, stronger flow supercriticality (namely the difference between the differential rotation rate of the flow and its critical value for the onset of nonaxisymmetric instability) facilitates the onset of dynamo action. A conducting magnetic boundary condition and a larger aspect ratio both favour dynamo action.     

Dynamos with a flat α-effect distribution

Abstract

In order to obtain a better insight into the excitation conditions of magnetic fields in flat objects, such as galaxies, we have calculated critical dynamo numbers of different magnetic field modes for spherical dynamos with a flat α-effect distribution. A simple but realistic approximation formula for the rotation curve is employed. In most cases investigated a stationary quadrupole-type solution is preferred. This is a consequence of the flat distribution of the α-effect. Non-axisymmetric fields are in all cases harder to excite than axisymmetric ones. This seems to be the case particularly for flat objects in combination with a realistic rotation curve for galaxies. The question of whether non-axisymmetric (bisymmetric) fields, which are observed in some galaxies, can be explained as dynamos generated by an axisymmetric αω-effect is therefore still open.     

A shell model for a large-scale turbulent dynamo

This article addresses the interesting and important problem of large-scale magnetic field generation in turbulent flows, using a self-consistent dynamo model recently developed. The main idea of this model is to consider the induction equation for the large-scale magnetic field, integrated consistently with the turbulent dynamics at smaller scales described by a magnetohydrodynamic shell model. The questions of dynamo action threshold, magnetic field saturation, magnetic field reversals, nature of the dynamo transition and the changes of small-scale turbulence as a consequence of the dynamo onset are discussed. In particular, the stability curve obtained by the model integration is shown in a very wide range of values of the magnetic Prandtl number not yet accessible by direct numerical simulation but more realistic for natural dynamos. Moreover, from our analysis it is shown that the large-scale dynamo transition displays a hysteretic behaviour and therefore a subcritical nature. The model successfully reproduces magnetic polarity reversals, showing the capability to generate persistence times which are increasing for decreasing magnetic diffusivity. Moreover, when the system reaches a statistically stationary dynamo state, where the large-scale magnetic field can abruptly reverse its polarity (magnetic reversal state) or not, keeping the same polarity (steady state), it shows an unmistakable tendency towards the energy equipartition for the turbulence at small scale.     

The contribution of laboratory dynamo experiments to our understanding of the mechanism of generation of planetary magnetic fields

The magnetic fields of the Earth, Jupiter, and Saturn are now accepted as originating in a dynamo mechanism in an electrically conducting fluid region of those planets.Our extensive knowledge of the spatial and temporal variation of the geomagnetic field has been gained by observation in the recent past, and by inference from the remanent magnetisation of rocks for the distant past.The theoretical problem of predicting what sort of magnetic field can be generated by motions in a homogeneous conducting fluid is extremely intractable. In order to obtain any solution at all the problem has to be idealised until it bears little resemblance to the situation existing in planetary interiors; consequently observation and theory have little common ground.In the laboratory it is possible to construct homogeneous dynamos which, while they have a number of important differences from the mechanism which exists inside planets, nevertheless are considerably closer to reality than any theoretical model which can be shown to generate a magnetic field. Observations of the behaviour of such laboratory homogeneous self-exciting dynamos have, over the past twenty years in the Geophysics department at Newcastle University, together with theoretical predictions on one hand and palaeomagnetic observations on the other, helped towards the development of a consistent picture of both how the geomagnetic field is generated and of its morphology.This review will attempt to show the part played by experimental homogeneous dynamos in the development of the subject.     

Oscillatory large-scale dynamos from Cartesian convection simulations

We present results from compressible Cartesian convection simulations with and without imposed shear. In the former case the dynamo is expected to be of α² Ω type, which is generally expected to be relevant for the Sun, whereas the latter case refers to α² dynamos that are more likely to occur in more rapidly rotating stars whose differential rotation is small. We perform a parameter study where the shear flow and the rotational influence are varied to probe the relative importance of both types of dynamos. Oscillatory solutions are preferred both in the kinematic and saturated regimes when the negative ratio of shear to rotation rates, q?≡??S/Ω, is between 1.5 and 2, i.e. when shear and rotation are of comparable strengths. Other regions of oscillatory solutions are found with small values of q, i.e. when shear is weak in comparison to rotation, and in the regime of large negative qs, when shear is very strong in comparison to rotation. However, exceptions to these rules also appear so that for a given ratio of shear to rotation, solutions are non-oscillatory for small and large shear, but oscillatory in the intermediate range. Changing the boundary conditions from vertical field to perfect conductor ones changes the dynamo mode from oscillatory to quasi-steady. Furthermore, in many cases an oscillatory solution exists only in the kinematic regime whereas in the nonlinear stage the mean fields are stationary. However, the cases with rotation and no shear are always oscillatory in the parameter range studied here and the dynamo mode does not depend on the magnetic boundary conditions. The strengths of total and large-scale components of the magnetic field in the saturated state, however, are sensitive to the chosen boundary conditions.     

A unified approach to a class of slow dynamos

Abstract

Dynamo action in a highly conducting fluid with small magnetic diffusivity η is particularly sensitive to the topology of the flow. The sites of rapid magnetic field regeneration, when they occur, appear to be located at the stagnation points or in regions where the particle paths are chaotic. Elsewhere only slow dynamo action is to be expected. Two such examples are the nearly axially symmetric dynamo of Braginsky and the generalisation to smooth velocity fields of the Ponomarenko dynamo. Here a method of solution is developed, which applies to both these examples and is applicable to other situations, where magnetic field lines are close to either closed or spatially periodic contours. Particular attention is given to field generation in the neighbourhood of resonant surfaces where growth rates may be intermediate between the slow diffusive and fast convective time scales. The method is applied to the case of the two-dimensional ABC-flows, where it is shown that such intermediate dynamo action can occur on resonant surfaces.     

The Karlsruhe Dynamo Experiment. A Mean Field Approach

At the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe an experiment is in preparation which it is hoped, in view of the geodynamo and other cosmic dynamos, that a homogeneous dynamo will be demonstrated and investigated. This experiment is discussed within the framework of mean-field dynamo theory. Results are presented concerning kinematic cylindrical mean-field dynamo models reflecting some features of the experimental device, as well as results of detailed calculations of the -effect that apply to arbitrarily high magnetic Reynolds numbers. On this basis estimates of the excitation conditions of the dynamo are given and predictions concerning the geometrical structure of the generated magnetic fields are made.     

Fast dynamo action in the Ponomarenko dynamo

Abstract

An analysis of small-scale magnetic fields shows that the Ponomarenko dynamo is a fast dynamo; the maximum growth rate remains of order unity in the limit of large magnetic Reynolds number. Magnetic fields are regenerated by a “stretch-diffuse” mechanism. General smooth axisymmetric velocity fields are also analysed; these give slow dynamo action by the same mechanism.     

Dipole moment scaling for convection-driven planetary dynamos

Scaling laws are derived for the time-average magnetic dipole moment in rotating convection-driven numerical dynamo models. Results from 145 dynamo models with a variety of boundary conditions and heating modes, covering a wide section of parameter space, show that the time-average dipole moment depends on the convective buoyancy flux F. Two distinct regimes are found above the critical magnetic Reynolds number for onset of dynamo action. In the first regime the external magnetic field is dipole-dominant, whereas for larger buoyancy flux or slower rotation the external field is dominated by higher multipoles and the dipole moment is reduced by a factor of 10 or more relative to the dipolar regime. For dynamos driven by basal heating, the dipole moment M increases like M  F^1/3 in the dipolar regime. Reversing dipolar dynamos tend to cluster near the multipolar transition, which is shown to depend on a local Rossby number parameter. The geodynamo lies close to this transition, suggesting an explanation for polarity reversals and the possibility of a weaker dipole earlier in Earth history. Internally heated dynamos generate smaller dipole moments overall and show a gradual transition from dipolar to multipolar states. Our scaling yields order of magnitude agreement with the dipole moments of Earth, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Ganymede, and predicts a multipolar-type dynamo for Mercury.     

Homogeneous planar and two-dimensional mean-field antidynamo theorems with zero mean flow

In an electrically conducting fluid, two types of turbulence with a preferred direction are distinguished: planar turbulence, in which every velocity in the turbulent ensemble of flows has no component in the given direction; and two-dimensional turbulence, in which every velocity in the turbulent ensemble is invariant under translation in the preferred direction. Under the additional assumptions of two-scale and homogeneous turbulence with zero mean flow, the associated magnetohydrodynamic alpha- and beta-effects are derived in the second-order correlation approximation (SOCA) when the electrically conducting fluid occupies all space. Limitations of the SOCA are well known, but alpha- and beta-effects of a turbulent flow are useful in interpreting the dynamo effects of the turbulence. Two antidynamo theorems, which establish necessary conditions for dynamo action, are shown to follow from the special structures of these alpha- and beta-effects. The theorems, which are analogues of the laminar planar velocity and two-dimensional antidynamo theorems, apply to all turbulent ensembles with the prescribed alpha- and beta-effects, not just the planar and two-dimensional ensembles. The mean magnetic field is general in the planar theorem but only two-dimensional in the two-dimensional theorem. The two theorems relax the previous restriction to turbulence which is both two-dimensional and planar. The laminar theorems imply decay of the total magnetic field for any velocity of the associated turbulent ensemble. However, the mean-field theorems are not fully consistent with the laminar theorems because further conditions beyond those arising from the turbulence must be imposed on the beta-effect to establish decay of the mean magnetic field. In particular, negative turbulent magnetic diffusivities must be restricted. It is interesting that there is no inconsistency in the alpha-effects. The failure of the SOCA with the two-scale approximation to simply preserve the laminar antidynamo theorems at the beta-effect level is a further demonstration of the restricted validity of the theory and shows that negative diffusivity effects derived by approximation methods must be treated cautiously.     

Dynamo in Asymmetric Square Convection

Linear and nonlinear dynamo action is investigated for square patterns in nonrotating and weakly rotating Boussinesq Rayleigh-Bénard convection in a plane horizontal layer. The square-pattern solutions may or may not be symmetric to up-down reflections. Vertically symmetric solutions correspond to checkerboard patterns. They do not possess a net kinetic helicity and are found to be incapable of kinematic dynamo action at least up to magnetic Reynolds numbers of , 12 000. There also exist vertically asymmetric squares, characterized by rising (descending) motion in the centers and descending (rising) motion near the boundaries, among them such that possess full horizontal square symmetry and others lacking also this symmetry. The flows lacking both the vertical and horizontal symmetries possess kinetic helicity and show kinematic dynamo action even without rotation. The generated magnetic fields are concentrated in vertically oriented filamentary structures. Without rotation these dynamos are, however, always only kinematic, not nonlinear dynamos since the back-reaction of the magnetic field then forces the solution into the basin of attraction of a roll pattern incapable of dynamo action. But with rotation added parameter regions are found where stationary asymmetric squares are also nonlinear dynamos. These nonlinear dynamos are characterized by a subtle balance between the Coriolis and Lorentz forces. In some parameter regions also nonlinear dynamos with flows in the form of oscillating squares or stationary modulated rolls are found.     

Magnetic helicity generation in the frame of Kazantsev model

Using a magnetic dynamo model, suggested by Kazantsev (J. Exp. Theor. Phys. 1968, vol. 26, p. 1031), we study the small-scale helicity generation in a turbulent electrically conducting fluid. We obtain the asymptotic dependencies of dynamo growth rate and magnetic correlation functions on magnetic Reynolds numbers. Special attention is devoted to the comparison of a longitudinal correlation function and a function of magnetic helicity for various conditions of asymmetric turbulent flows. We compare the analytical solutions on small scales with numerical results, calculated by an iterative algorithm on non-uniform grids. We show that the exponential growth of current helicity is simultaneous with the magnetic energy for Reynolds numbers larger than some critical value and estimate this value for various types of asymmetry.     

The galactic dynamo: Axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric modes

Abstract

We discuss recent developments in the theory of large-scale magnetic structures in spiral galaxies. In addition to a review of galactic dynamo models developed for axisymmetric disks of variable thickness, we consider the possibility of dominance of non-axisymmetric magnetic modes in disks with weak deviations from axial symmetry. Difficulties of straightforward numerical simulation of galactic dynamos are discussed and asymptotic solutions of the dynamo equations relevant for galactic conditions are considered. Theoretical results are compared with observational data.     

Large-eddy simulations of convection-driven dynamos using a dynamic scale-similarity model

Dynamo simulations require sub-grid scale (SGS) models for the momentum and heat flux, the Lorentz force, and the magnetic induction. Previous large eddy simulations (LES) using the scale similarity model have represented many aspects of the SGS motion. However, discrepancies are observed due to interchanging the order of filtering operation and spatial differentiation. In this study, we implement a correction term for this commutation error specifically for the scale-similarity model. Furthermore, we implement a dynamic scheme to evaluate time-dependent coefficients for the SGS models. We perform dynamo simulations in a rotating plane layer with different spatial resolutions, and compare results for the time dependence of the large-scale magnetic field. Simulations are performed at two different Rayleigh numbers, using constant values for the other dimensionless numbers (Ekman, Prandtl, and magnetic Prandtl numbers). Both cases show that the dynamic LES can accurately represent the large-scale magnetic field, whereas the dynamo failed in the direct simulations without the SGS terms at the same spatial resolutions. We conclude that the dynamic versions of the SGS and commutation error correction are essential for successful dynamos on coarser grids.     

Inner-core conductivity in numerical dynamo simulations

Speculation about its possible super-rotation has drawn the attention of many geophysical researchers to the Earth’s inner core. An issue of special interest for geodynamo modelling is the influence of the inner-core conductivity. It has been suggested that the finite magnetic diffusivity of the inner core prevents more frequent reversals of the Earth’s magnetic field. We explore the possible influence of the inner-core conductivity by comparing convection-driven 3D dynamo simulations with insulating or conducting inner cores (CIC) at various parameters. The influence on the field structure in the outer core is only marginal. The time behaviour of dipole-dominated non-reversing dynamos is also little affected. Concerning reversing dynamos, the inner-core conductivity reduces the number of short dipole-polarity intervals with a typical length of a few thousand years. Reversals are always correlated with low dipole strength and these short intervals are found in periods where the dipole moment stays low. Polarity intervals longer than about 10,000 years, where the dipole moment has time recover in strength, are equally likely in insulating and CIC models. Since these latter intervals are of more geophysical relevance, we conclude that the influence of the inner-core conductivity on Earth-like reversal sequences is insignificant for the dynamo model employed here.     

Galactic Dynamo and Spiral Arms - 3D MHD Simulations

In the present project we investigate the evolution of a three-dimensional (3D), large-scale galactic magnetic field under the influence of gas flows in spiral arms and in the presence of dynamo action. Our principal goal is to check how the dynamical evolution of gaseous spiral arms affects the global magnetic field structure and to what extent our models could explain the observed spiral patterns of polarization B-vectors in nearby galaxies. A two-step scheme is used: the N-body simulations of a two-component, self-gravitating disk provide the time-dependent velocity fields which are then used as the input to solve the mean-field dynamo equations. We found that the magnetic field is directly influenced by large-scale non-axisymmetric density wave flows yielding the magnetic field locally well-aligned with gaseous spiral arms in a manner similar to that discussed already by Otmianowska-Mazur et al. 1997. However, an additional field amplification, introduced by a non-zero -term in the dynamo equations, is required to cause a systematic increase of magnetic energy density against the diffusive losses. Our simulated magnetic fields are also used to construct the models of a high-frequency (Faraday rotation-free) polarized radio emission accounting for effects of projection and limited resolution, thus suitable for direct comparisons with observations.     

Convective plan-form of two-scale dynamos in a plane layer

We study generation of magnetic fields, involving large spatial scales, by convective plan-forms in a horizontal layer. Magnetic modes and their growth rates are expanded in power series in the scale ratio, and the magnetic eddy diffusivity (MED) tensor is derived for flows, symmetric about the vertical axis in a layer. For convective rolls we demonstrate that MED is never below molecular magnetic diffusivity. For cell patterns possessing the symmetries of a rectangle, critical values of molecular magnetic diffusivity for the onset of small- and large-scale magnetic field generation are the same. No instances of negative MED in hexagonal cells have been detected. A family of plan-forms has been found numerically, where MED is negative for molecular magnetic diffusivity over the threshold for the onset of small-scale magnetic field generation. However, the region in the parameter space, where large-scale dynamo action is observed, is small.     

Dynamo models with magnetic diffusivity-quenching

Abstract

The magnetic influence on a turbulent plasma also produces a complicated structure of the eddy diffusivity tensor rather than a simple and traditional quenching of the eddy diffusivity. Dynamo models in plane (galaxy) and spherical (star) geometries with differential relation are developed here to answer the question whether the dynamo mechanism is still yielding stable configurations. Magnetic saturation of the dynamos is always found—at magnetic energies exceeding the energy-equipartition value.

We find that the effect of magnetic back-reaction on the turbulent diffusivity depends highly on whether the dynamo is oscillatory or not. The steady modes are extremely influenced. They saturate at field strengths strongly exceeding its turbulence-equipartition value. Subcritical excitation is even found for strong seed fields. The oscillating dynamos, however, only provide a small effect. Hence, the strong over-equipartition of the internal solar magnetic fields revealed by studies of flux-tube dynamics cannot be explained with the theory presented. Also the run of the cycle frequency with the dynamo number is too smooth in order to explain observations of stellar chromospheric activity.