(abridged) Aims: Three-dimensional numerical simulations of penetrative compressible convection with uniform horizontal shear are used to study dynamo action and the generation of large-scale magnetic fields. Methods: We consider cases where the magnetic Reynolds number is either marginal or moderately supercritical with respect to small-scale dynamo action in the absence of shear and rotation. The effects of magnetic helicity fluxes are studied by comparing results for the magnetic field with open and closed boundaries. Results: Without shear no large-scale dynamos are found even if the ingredients necessary for the alpha-effect (rotation and stratification) are present in the system. When uniform horizontal shear is added, a large-scale magnetic field develops, provided the boundaries are open. In this case the mean magnetic field contains a significant fraction of the total field. For those runs where the magnetic Reynolds number is between 60 and 250, small-scale dynamo is expected to be excited, but the field distribution is found to be similar to cases with smaller magnetic Reynolds number where the small-scale dynamo is not excited. In the case of closed (perfectly conducting) boundaries, magnetic helicity fluxes are suppressed and no large-scale fields are found. Similarly, poor large-scale field development is seen when vertical shear is used in combination with periodic boundary conditions in the horizontal directions. If, however, open (normal-field) boundary conditions are used in the x-direction, a large-scale field develops. These results support the notion that shear not only helps to generate the field, but it also plays a crucial role in driving magnetic helicity fluxes out of the system along the isocontours of shear, thereby allowing efficient dynamo action.
By incorporating a large-scale shear flow into turbulent rotating convection, we show that a sufficiently strong shear can promote dynamo action in flows that in the absence of shear do not act as dynamos. Our results are consistent with a dynamo driven by either the shear-current effect or by the interaction between a fluctuating $α$-effect and the velocity shear; they are though inconsistent with either a classical $α^2$ or $αω$ mean field dynamo.
The existence of large-scale dynamos in rigidly rotating turbulent convection without shear is studied using three-dimensional numerical simulations of penetrative rotating compressible convection. We demonstrate that rotating convection in a Cartesian domain can drive a large-scale dynamo even in the absence of shear. The large-scale field contains a significant fraction of the total field in the saturated state. The simulation results are compared with one-dimensional mean-field dynamo models where turbulent transport coefficients, as determined using the test field method, are used. The rea…
We present the first results from three-dimensional spherical shell simulations of magnetic dynamo action realized by turbulent convection penetrating downward into a tachocline of rotational shear. This permits us to assess several dynamical elements believed to be crucial to the operation of the solar global dynamo, variously involving differential rotation resulting from convection, magnetic pumping, and amplification of fields by stretching within the tachocline. The simulations reveal that strong axisymmetric toroidal magnetic fields (about 3000 G in strength) are realized within the lowe…
We revisit the possible turbulent sources of the solar dynamo. Studying axisymmetric mean-field dynamo models, we find that the large-scale poloidal magnetic field could be generated not only by the famous alpha effect, but also by the Omega x J and shear-current effects. The inclusion of these additional turbulent sources alleviates several of the known problems of solar mean-field dynamo models.
We are concerned with large scale magnetic field dynamo generation and propagation of magnetic fronts in turbulent electrically conducting fluids. An effective equation for the large scale magnetic field is developed here that takes into account the finite correlation times of the turbulent flow. This equation involves the memory integrals corresponding to the dynamo source term describing the alpha-effect and turbulent transport of magnetic field. We find that the memory effects can drastically change the dynamo growth rate, in particular, non-local turbulent transport might increase the grow…
The paper deals with a simple spherical mean-field dynamo model of $α^2$-type in the case of high electrical conductivity. A spherically symmetric distribution of turbulent motions is assumed inside a spherical fluid body surrounded by free space, and some complete form of the corresponding mean electromotive force is taken into account. For a turbulence lacking reflectional symmetry finite growth rates of magnetic fields prove to be possible even in the limit of perfect conductivity, that is, the model corresponds to a fast dynamo. In accordance with the theorem by Bondi and Gold the dynamo-g…
The prevailing theory for the origin of cosmic magnetic fields is that they have been amplified to their present values by the turbulent dynamo inductive action in the protogalactic and galactic medium. Up to now, in calculation of the turbulent dynamo, it has been customary to assume that there is no the back reaction of the magnetic field on the turbulence, as long as the magnetic energy is less than the turbulent kinetic energy. This assumption leads to the kinematic dynamo theory. However, the applicability of the kinematic dynamo theory to protogalaxies is rather limited. The reason is th…
With a non local shell model of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence we investigate numerically the turbulent dynamo action for low and high magnetic Prandtl numbers ($Pm$). The results obtained in the kinematic regime and along the way to dynamo saturation are understood in terms of a phenomenological approach based on the local ($Pm\ll 1$) or non local ($Pm\gg 1$) nature of the energy transfers. In both cases the magnetic energy grows at small scale and saturates as an inverse `` cascade ''.
The prevailing theory for the origin of cosmic magnetic fields is that they have been amplified to their present values by the turbulent dynamo inductive action in the protogalactic and galactic medium. Up to now, in calculation of the turbulent dynamo, it has been customary to assume that there is no back reaction of the magnetic field on the turbulence, as long as the magnetic energy is less than the turbulent kinetic energy. This assumption leads to the kinematic dynamo theory. However, the applicability of this theory to protogalaxies is rather limited. The reason is that in protogalaxies …
The operation of the solar global dynamo appears to involve many dynamical elements. Self-consistent MHD simulations which realistically incorporate all of these processes are not yet computationally feasible, though some elements can now be studied with reasonable fidelity. Here we consider the manner in which turbulent compressible convection within the bulk of the solar convection zone can generate large-scale magnetic fields through dynamo action. We accomplish this through a series of three-dimensional numerical simulations of MHD convection within rotating spherical shells using our ASH …
Using a periodic box calculation it is shown that, owing to helicity conservation, a large scale field can only develop on a resistive timescale. This behaviour can be reproduced by a mean-field dynamo with alpha and eta_t quenchings that are equally strong and `catastrophic'.
We present the results of 3--D nonlinear simulations of magnetic dynamo action by core convection within A-type stars of 2 solar masses, at a range of rotation rates. We consider the inner 30% by radius of such stars, with the spherical domain thereby encompassing the convective core and a portion of the surrounding radiative envelope. The compressible Navier-Stokes equations, subject to the anelastic approximation, are solved to examine highly nonlinear flows that span multiple scale heights, exhibit intricate time dependence, and admit magnetic dynamo action. Small initial seed magnetic fiel…
Large scale dynamos produce small scale current helicity as a waste product that quenches the large scale dynamo process (alpha effect). This quenching can be catastrophic (i.e.intensify with magnetic Reynolds number) unless one has fluxes of small scale magnetic (or current) helicity out of the system. We derive the form of helicity fluxes in turbulent dynamos, taking also into account the nonlinear effects of Lorentz forces due to fluctuating fields. We confirm the form of an earlier derived magnetic helicity flux term, and also show that it is not renormalized by the small scale magnetic fi…
Arguments are presented in favor of the idea that the solar dynamo may operate not just at the bottom of the convection zone, i.e. in the tachocline, but it may operate in a more distributed fashion in the entire convection zone. The near-surface shear layer is likely to play an important role in this scenario.
The location of the solar dynamo is discussed in the context of new insights into the theory of nonlinear turbulent dynamos. It is argued that, from a dynamo-theoretic point of view, the bottom of the convection zone is not a likely location and that the solar dynamo may be distributed over the convection zone. The near surface shear layer produces not only east-west field alignment, but it also helps the dynamo disposing of its excess small scale magnetic helicity.
The turbulent pumping effect corresponds to the transport of magnetic flux due to the presence of density and turbulence gradients in convectively unstable layers. In the induction equation it appears as an advective term and for this reason it is expected to be important in the solar and stellar dynamo processes. In this work, we have explored the effects of the turbulent pumping in a flux-dominated Babcock-Leighton solar dynamo model with a solar-like rotation law. The results reveal the importance of the pumping mechanism for solving current limitations in mean field dynamo modeling such as…
Analytical solution of first order torsion $α$-effect in twisted magnetic flux tubes representing a flux tube dynamo in Riemannian space is presented. Toroidal and poloidal component of the magnetic field decays as $r^{-1}$, while grow exponentially in time. The rate of speed of the helical dynamo depends upon the value of Frenet curvature of the tube. The $α$ factor possesses a fundamental contribution from constant torsion tube approximation. It is also assumed that the curvature of the magnetic axis of the tube is constant. Though $α$-effect dynamo equations are rather more complex in Riema…
Core convection and dynamo activity deep within rotating A-type stars of 2 solar masses are studied with 3--D nonlinear simulations. Our modeling considers the inner 30% by radius of such stars, thus capturing within a spherical domain the convective core and a modest portion of the surrounding radiative envelope. The MHD equations are solved using the ASH code to examine turbulent flows and magnetic fields, both of which exhibit intricate time dependence. By introducing small seed magnetic fields into our progenitor hydrodynamic models rotating at one and four times the solar rate, we assess …
Planetary and stellar dynamos likely result from turbulent motions in magnetofluids with kinematic viscosities that are small compared to their magnetic diffusivities. Laboratory experiments are in progress to produce similar dynamos in liquid metals. This work reviews recent computations of thresholds in critical magnetic Reynolds number above which dynamo amplification can be expected for mechanically-forced turbulence (helical and non-helical, short wavelength and long wavelength) as a function of the magnetic Prandtl number $P_M$. New results for helical forcing are discussed, for which a …
The generation of large-scale magnetic fields is generically accompanied by the more rapid growth of small-scale fields. The growing Lorentz force due to these fields back reacts on the turbulence to saturate the mean-field and small-scale dynamos. For the mean-field dynamo, in a quasi-linear treatment of this saturation, it is generally thought that, while the alpha-effect gets renormalised and suppressed by non-linear effects, the turbulent diffusion is left unchanged. We show here that this is not true and the effect of the Lorentz forces, is also to generate additional non-linear hyperdiff…
Large-scale magnetic fields in galaxies are thought to be generated by a turbulent dynamo. However the same turbulence also leads to a small-scale dynamo which generates magnetic noise at a more rapid rate. The efficiency of the large-scale dynamo depends on how this noise saturates. We examine this issue taking into account ambipolar drift, which obtains in a galaxy with significant neutral gas. We argue that, (1) the small-scale dynamo generated field does not fill the volume, but is concentrated into intermittent rope like structures. The flux ropes are curved on the turbulent eddy scales. …
A magnetic flux tube may be considered both as a separate body and as a confined field. As a field, it is affected both by the cyclonic convection ($α$-effect) and differential rotation ($Ω$-effect). As a body, the tube experiences not only a buoyant force, but also a dynamic pressure due to downflows above the tube. When these two dynamic effects are incorporated into the $αΩ$ dynamo equations, we obtain a dynamo operating in the convection zone. We analyze and solve the extended dynamo equations in the linear approximation by using observed solar internal rotation and assuming a downflow sug…
We present and analyze a simplified stochastic $αΩ-$dynamo model which is designed to assess the influence of additive and multiplicative noises, non-normality of dynamo equation, and nonlinearity of the $α-$% effect and turbulent diffusivity, on the generation of a large-scale magnetic field in the subcritical case. Our model incorporates random fluctuations in the $α-$parameter and additive noise arising from the small-scale fluctuations of magnetic and turbulent velocity fields. We show that the noise effects along with non-normality can lead to the stochastic amplification of the magnetic …
Many stars exhibit strong magnetic fields, some of which are thought to be of primordial origin and others a sign of magnetic dynamo processes. We briefly review the results of observational studies of solar-type stars seeking to evaluate the linkage between rotation rate and possible magnetic cycles of activity. Clearly turbulent convection and rotation within spherical shell geometries provide ingredients essential for dynamo action. However, intensive efforts over several decades in solar research have demonstrated that it is no easy matter to achieve cyclic magnetic activity that is in acc…
The shear-current effect in a nonrotating homogeneous turbulent convection with a large-scale constant shear is studied. The large-scale velocity shear causes anisotropy of turbulent convection, which produces the mean electromotive force $\bec{\cal E}^{(W)} \propto {\bf W} {\bf \times} {\bf J}$ and the mean electric current along the original mean magnetic field, where ${\bf W}$ is the background mean vorticity due to the shear and ${\bf J}$ is the mean electric current. This results in a large-scale dynamo even in a nonrotating and nonhelical homogeneous sheared turbulent convection, whereby…
Small scale turbulent dynamo action in compressible transonic turbulence is discussed. It is shown that the critical value of the magnetic Reynolds number displays a bimodal behavior and changes from a typical value of 35 for small Mach numbers to about 80 for larger Mach numbers. The transition between the two regimes is relatively sharp. The direct simulations are then compared with simulations where shocks are captured using a shock viscosity that becomes large at locations where there are shocks. In the presence of shear it is shown that large scale dynamo action is possible.
A new mean-field theory of turbulent convection is developed. This theory predicts the convective wind instability in a shear-free turbulent convection which causes formation of large-scale semi-organized fluid motions in the form of cells or rolls. Spatial characteristics of these motions, such as the minimum size of the growing perturbations and the size of perturbations with the maximum growth rate, are determined. This study predicts also the existence of the convective shear instability in a sheared turbulent convection which results in generation of convective shear waves with a nonzero …
We present results from numerical simulations of nonlinear MHD dynamo action produced by three-dimensional flows that become turbulent for high values of the fluid Reynolds number. The magnitude of the forcing function driving the flow is allowed to evolve with time in such way as to maintain an approximately constant velocity amplitude (and average kinetic energy) when the flow becomes hydrodynamically unstable. It is found that the saturation level of the dynamo increases with the fluid Reynolds number (at constant magnetic Prandtl number), and that the average growth rate approaches an asym…
(abridged) Results from kinematic solar dynamo models employing alpha-effect and turbulent pumping from local convection calculations are presented. We estimate the magnitude of these effects to be around 2-3 m/s. The rotation profile of the Sun as obtained from helioseismology is applied. We obtain an estimate of the ratio of the two induction effects, C_alpha/C_Omega \approx 10^-3, which we keep fixed in all models. We also include a one-cell meridional circulation pattern having a magnitude of 10-20 m/s near the surface and 1-2 m/s at the bottom of the convection zone. The model essentially…
Using recent results on the operation of turbulent dynamos, we show that a turbulent dynamo can amplify a large scale magnetic field in the envelopes of asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. We propose that a slow rotation of the AGB envelope can fix the symmetry axis, leading to the formation of an axisymmetric magnetic field structure. Unlike solar-type alpha-omega dynamos, the rotation has only a small role in amplifying the toroidal component of the magnetic field. The large-scale magnetic field is strong enough for the formation of magnetic cool spots on the AGB stellar surface. The spots …
We study convective motions taken from hydrodynamic simulations of rotating proto--neutron stars (PNSs) with respect to their ability to excite a dynamo instability which may be responsible for the giant neutron star magnetic fields. Since it is impossible to simulate the magnetic field evolution employing the actual magnetic Reynolds numbers ($\Rm$) resulting from the hydrodynamic simulations, (smallest) critical $\Rm$s and the corresponding field geometries are derived on the kinematic level by rescaling the velocity amplitudes. It turns out that the actual values of $\Rm$ are by many orders…
We simulate the evolution of an initially weak magnetic field in forced turbulence for a range of Prandtl numbers. The field grows exponentially with the Kulsrud-Anderson $k^{3/2}$ spectrum until the magnetic energy approaches the viscous-scale kinetic energy, where the magnetic forces then backreact on the velocity. Further growth proceeds more slowly until a saturated state is reached where the magnetic and kinetic energies are equal, and where the magnetic energy exists primarily at the resistive scale. We discuss the structure of this turbulence and the extrapolation of the results to astr…
Context: Observations indicate that the `quiet' solar photosphere outside active regions contains considerable amounts of magnetic energy and magnetic flux, with mixed polarity on small scales. The origin of this flux is unclear. Aims: We test whether local dynamo action of the near-surface convection (granulation) can generate a significant contribution to the observed magnetic flux. Methods: We have carried out MHD simulations of solar surface convection, including the effects of strong stratification, compressibility, partial ionization, radiative transfer, as well as an open lower boundary…
We review recent results of stellar pulsation modelling that show that even very simple one-dimensional models for time dependent turbulent energy diffusion and convection provide a substantial improvement over purely radiative models.
Our attention focuses on the stochastic dynamo equation with non-normal operator that give an insight into the role of stochastics and non-normality in the galactic magnetic field generation. The main point of this Letter is a discussion of the generation of a large-scale magnetic field that cannot be explained by traditional linear eigenvalue analysis. We present a simple stochastic model for the thin-disk axisymmetric $αΩ$ dynamo involving three factors: (a) the non-normality generated by differential rotation, (b) the nonlinearity reflecting how the magnetic field affects the turbulent dyna…
It is shown that the turbulent dynamo $α$-effect converts magnetic helicity from the turbulent field to the mean field when the turbulence is electromagnetic while the magnetic helicity of the mean-field is transported across space when the turbulence is electrostatic or due to the electron diamagnetic effect. In all cases, however, the dynamo effect strictly conserves the total helicity except for resistive effects and a small battery effect. Implications for astrophysical situations, especially for the solar dynamo, are discussed.
Stochatic excitation of stellar oscillations by turbulent convection is investigated and an expression for the power injected into the oscillations by the turbulent convection of the outer layers is derived which takes into account excitation through turbulent Reynolds stresses and turbulent entropy fluctuations. This formulation generalizes results from previous works and is built so as to enable investigations of various possible spatial and temporal spectra of stellar turbulent convection. For the Reynolds stress contribution and assuming the Kolmogorov spectrum we obtain a similar formulat…
Turbulence with a large magnetic Reyonolds number, generically leads to rapidly growing magnetic noise over and above any mean field. We revisit the dynamics of this fluctuating field, in homogeneous, isotropic, helical turbulence. Assuming the turbulence to be Markovian, we first rederive, in a fairly transparent manner, the equation for the mean field, and corrected Fokker-Plank type equations for the magnetic correlations. In these equations, we also incorporate the effects of ambipolar drift which would obtain if the turbulent medium has a significant neutral component. We apply these equa…
We review recent advances in modeling global-scale convection and dynamo processes with the Anelastic Spherical Harmonic (ASH) code. In particular, we have recently achieved the first global-scale solar convection simulations that exhibit turbulent pumping of magnetic flux into a simulated tachocline and the subsequent organization and amplification of toroidal field structures by rotational shear. The presence of a tachocline not only promotes the generation of mean toroidal flux, but it also enhances and stabilizes the mean poloidal field throughout the convection zone, promoting dipolar str…
We study an example of instability in presence of a multiplicative noise, namely the spontaneous generation of a magnetic field in a turbulent medium. This so-called turbulent dynamo problem remains challenging, experimentally and theoretically. In this field, the prevailing theory is the Mean-Field Dynamo (Krause and Rädler, 1980) where the dynamo effect is monitored by the mean magnetic field (other possible choices would be the energy, flux,...). In recent years, it has been shown on stochastic oscillators that this type of approach could be misleading. In this paper, we develop a stochasti…
In numerical studies of turbulence, hyperviscosity is often used as a tool to extend the inertial subrange and to reduce the dissipative subrange. By analogy, hyperdiffusivity (or hyperresistivity) is sometimes used in magnetohydrodynamics. The underlying assumption is that only the small scales are affected by this manipulation. In the present paper, possible side effects on the evolution of the large scale magnetic field are investigated. It is found that for turbulent flows with helicity, hyperdiffusivity causes the dynamo-generated magnetic field to saturate at a higher level than normal d…
