Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-18-2005

Publication Title

Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

Department

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

We present direct numerical simulations of dynamo action in a forced Roberts flow. The behavior of the dynamo is followed as the mechanical Reynolds number is increased, starting from the laminar case until a turbulent regime is reached. The critical magnetic Reynolds for dynamo action is found, and in the turbulent flow it is observed to be nearly independent on the magnetic Prandtl number in the range from ∼0.3 to ∼0.1. Also the dependence of this threshold with the amount of mechanical helicity in the flow is studied. For the different regimes found, the configuration of the magnetic and velocity fields in the saturated steady state are discussed.

DOI

10.1103/PhysRevE.72.056320

Original Citation

Mininni PD, Montgomery DC. Low magnetic Prandtl number dynamos with helical forcing. Phys Rev E Stat Nonlin Soft Matter Phys. 2005 Nov;72(5 Pt 2):056320. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevE.72.056320. Epub 2005 Nov 18. PMID: 16383758.

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