On the validity of quasi-linear kinematic mean-field electrodynamics in astrophysical flows

Mean-field theory in its kinematic form with the quasi-linear approximation is widely used for the modelling of the transport of weak magnetic fields in turbulent media. The validity of this approach to real astrophysical flows is discussed. Numerically evaluating the turbulent electromotive force using Lagrangian analysis for a set of simple, prescribed 2D flow patterns with a wide range of parameters, we find that quasi-linear expressions for the turbulent diffusivities and for the pumping velocities are correct within a factor of 2 for a wide variety of flow types with order of unity (or even higher) effective Strouhal numbers. The degree of the non-linear quenching of turbulent transport by a weak magnetic field is also discussed. We argue that, owing to the intermittency and small filling factors of magnetic fields in realistic astrophysical media, diffusivity and pumping effects are not quenched to order of magnitude, while a more moderate quenching of order 10 per cent is still present.