Work

Dynamo action by differential rotation in a stably stratified stellar interior

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: Magnetic fields can be created in stably stratified (non-convective) layers in a differentially rotating star. A magnetic instability in the toroidal field (wound up by differential rotation) replaces the role of convection in closing the field amplification loop. Tayler instability is likely to be the most relevant magnetic instability. A dynamo model is developed from these ingredients, and applied to the problem of angular momentum transport in stellar interiors. It produces a predominantly horizontal field. This dynamo process is found to be more effective in transporting angular momentum than the known hydrodynamic mechanisms. It might account for the observed pattern of rotation in the solar core.

Source: Astronomy and Astrophysics

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20011465

Author: H. C. Spruit

Institutions: University of California, Santa Barbara, Max Planck Institute for Astrophysics, Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics

Language: English

Topic: Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Science Foundation

Award: Institute for Theoretical Physics