Bibcode
Archontis, V.; Dorch, S. B. F.; Nordlund, Å.
Bibliographical reference
Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.410, p.759-766 (2003)
Advertised on:
11
2003
Journal
Citations
20
Refereed citations
18
Description
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 asymptotic value for high fluid
Reynolds number. The generation and destruction of magnetic field is
examined during the laminar and turbulent phase of the flow and it is
found that in the neighborhood of strong magnetic flux ``cigars" Joule
dissipation is balanced by the work done against the Lorentz force,
while the steady increase of magnetic energy occurs mainly through work
done in the weak part of the magnetic field.