Work

Minimalist large scale dynamo from shear-driven inhomogeneity

Year: 2019

Type: preprint

Abstract: We show that non-axisymmetric, non-helical perturbations in an unstratified shear flow produce a shear-plane averaged electromotive force (EMF) proportional to a spatially dependent kinetic helicity. This new "shear-driven $α$-effect" can amplify shear-plane averaged magnetic fields, but is undiscoverable when invoking the homogeneity assumption for dynamo coefficients. It is a candidate mechanism underlying large scale field generation in astrophysical, laboratory, and simulated shear flows, and highlights the essentiality of correctly averaging dynamo coefficients and fields.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.1902.04737

Authors: Ebrahimi, F., Blackman, E. G.

Institutions: Princeton University, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, University of Rochester

Language: English

Topic: Solar and Space Plasma Dynamics

Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W2945993423

Cites:

Cited by: 2

Related to: 20