scholarly journals Magnetic Helicity, Dynamo Action, Reconnection, and Particle Acceleration

2000 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 389-390
Author(s):  
G. B. Field ◽  
E. G. Blackman
Keyword(s):  
Particle Acceleration ◽  
Lower Limit ◽  
Accretion Disks ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spiral Galaxies ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Magnetic Helicity ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Field Generation ◽  
Nonthermal Emission

Blackman & Field have shown that a working α-Ω dynamo requires finite but opposite flows of small- and large-scale magnetic helicity through a body's surface. The helicity is accompanied by magnetic energy available for dissipation. The observed solar coronal nonthermal power is consistent with the derived lower limit required. This link between dynamo field generation and nonthermal emission should generally apply to stars, spiral galaxies, and accretion disks.

Turbulent dynamo action at low magnetic Reynolds number

1970 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 435-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. K. Moffatt
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Isotropic Turbulence ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Magnetic Reynolds Number ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Ohmic Dissipation ◽  
Magnetic Energy Density ◽  
Magnetic Diffusivity

The effect of turbulence on a magnetic field whose length-scale L is initially large compared with the scale l of the turbulence is considered. There are no external sources for the field, and in the absence of turbulence it decays by ohmic dissipation. It is assumed that the magnetic Reynolds number Rm = u0l/λ (where u0 is the root-mean-square velocity and λ the magnetic diffusivity) is small. It is shown that to lowest order in the small quantities l/L and Rm, isotropic turbulence has no effect on the large-scale field; but that turbulence that lacks reflexional symmetry is capable of amplifying Fourier components of the field on length scales of order Rm−2l and greater. In the case of turbulence whose statistical properties are invariant under rotation of the axes of reference, but not under reflexions in a point, it is shown that the magnetic energy density of a magnetic field which is initially a homogeneous random function of position with a particularly simple spectrum ultimately increases as t−½exp (α2t/2λ3) where α(= O(u02l)) is a certain linear functional of the spectrum tensor of the turbulence. An analogous result is obtained for an initially localized field.

Experimental investigation of dynamo effect in the secondary pumps of the fast breeder reactor Superphenix

2000 ◽  
Vol 403 ◽  
pp. 263-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. ALEMANY ◽  
Ph. MARTY ◽  
F. PLUNIAN ◽  
J. SOTO
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Magnetic Reynolds Number ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Dynamo Effect

The fast breeder reactors (FBR) BN600 (Russia) and Phenix (France) have been the subject of several experimental studies aimed at the observation of dynamo action. Though no dynamo effect has been identified, the possibility was raised for the FBR Superphenix (France) which has an electric power twice that of BN600 and five times larger than Phenix. We present the results of a series of experimental investigations on the secondary pumps of Superphenix. The helical sodium flow inside one pump corresponds to a maximum magnetic Reynolds number (Rm) of 25 in the experimental conditions (low temperature). The magnetic field was recorded in the vicinity of the pumps and no dynamo action has been identified. An estimate of the critical flow rate necessary to reach dynamo action has been found, showing that the pumps are far from producing dynamo action. The magnetic energy spectrum was also recorded and analysed. It is of the form k−11/3, suggesting the existence of a large-scale magnetic field. Following Moffatt (1978), this spectrum slope is also justified by a phenomenological approach.

Large-scale particle acceleration during magnetic reconnection in solar flares

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaocan Li ◽  
Fan Guo
Keyword(s):  
Particle Acceleration ◽  
Magnetic Reconnection ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Macroscopic Model ◽  
Scale Particle ◽  
Reconnection Layer

<p>Magnetic reconnection is a primary driver of magnetic energy release and particle acceleration processes in space and astrophysical plasmas. Solar flares are a great example where observations have suggested that a large fraction of magnetic energy is converted into nonthermal particles and radiation. One of the major unsolved problems in reconnection studies is nonthermal particle acceleration. In the past decade or two, 2D kinetic simulations have been widely used and have identified several acceleration mechanisms in reconnection. Recent 3D simulations have shown that the reconnection layer naturally generates magnetic turbulence. Here we report our recent progresses in building a macroscopic model that includes these physics for explaining particle acceleration during solar flares. We show that, for sufficient large systems, high-energy particle acceleration processes can be well described as flow compression and shear. By means of 3D kinetic simulations, we found that the self-generated turbulence is essential for the formation of power-law electron energy spectrum in non-relativistic reconnection. Based on these results, we then proceed to solve an energetic particle transport equation in a compressible reconnection layer provided by high-Lundquist-number MHD simulations. Due to the compression effect, particles are accelerated to high energies and develop power-law energy distributions. The power-law index and maximum energy are both comparable to solar flare observations. This study clarifies the nature of particle acceleration in large-scale reconnection sites and initializes a framework for studying large-scale particle acceleration during solar flares.</p>

Possibility of an inverse cascade of magnetic helicity in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

1975 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 769-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Frisch ◽  
A. Pouquet ◽  
J. LÉOrat ◽  
A. Mazure
Keyword(s):  
Energy Density ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Magnetic Helicity ◽  
Kinetic Energy Density ◽  
Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence ◽  
Magnetic Energy Density ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Cross Correlations

Some of the consequences of the conservation of magnetic helicity$\int \rm{a.b}\it{d}^{\rm{3}}\rm{r\qquad (a\; =\; vector\; potential\; of\; magnetic\; field\; b)}$for incompressible three-dimensional turbulent MHD flows are investigated. Absolute equilibrium spectra for inviscid infinitely conducting flows truncated at lower and upper wavenumberskminandkmaxare obtained. When the total magnetic helicity approaches an upper limit given by the total energy (kinetic plus magnetic) divided bykmin, the spectra of magnetic energy and helicity are strongly peaked nearkmin; in addition, when the cross-correlations between the velocity and magnetic fields are small, the magnetic energy density nearkmingreatly exceeds the kinetic energy density. Several arguments are presented in favour of the existence of inverse cascades of magnetic helicity towards small wavenumbers leading to the generation of large-scale magnetic energy.

scholarly journals Outflows and particle acceleration in the accretion disks of young stars

2019 ◽  
Vol 201 ◽  
pp. 09004
Author(s):  
Sergey Khaibrakhmanov ◽  
Alexander Dudorov
Keyword(s):  
Particle Acceleration ◽  
Accretion Disks ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
T Tauri Stars ◽  
Radiative Heat Exchange ◽  
Current Layer ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Disk Structure ◽  
T Tauri

Magneto-gas-dynamic (MGD) outflows from the accretion disks of T Tauri stars with fossil large-scale magnetic fileld are investigated. We consider two mechanisms of the outflows: rise of the magnetic flux tubes (MFT) formed in the regions of efficient generation of the toroidal magnetic fileld in the disk due to Parker instability, and acceleration of particles in the current layer formed near the boundary between stellar magnetosphere and the accretion disk. Structure of the disk is calculated using our MGD model of the accretion disks. We simulate dynamics of the MFT in frame of slender flux tube approximation taking into account aerodynamic and turbulent drags, and radiative heat exchange with external gas. Particle acceleration in the current layer is investigated on the basis of Sweet-Parker model of magnetic reconnection. Our calculations show that the MFT can accelerate to velocities up to 50 km s-1 causing periodic outflows from the accretion disks. Estimations of the particle acceleration in the current layer are applied to interpret high-speed jets and X-rays observed in T Tauri stars with the accretion disks.

scholarly journals Dissipation of the striped pulsar wind and non-thermal particle acceleration: 3D PIC simulations

2020 ◽  
Vol 642 ◽  
pp. A204
Author(s):  
Benoît Cerutti ◽  
Alexander A. Philippov ◽  
Guillaume Dubus
Keyword(s):  
Particle Acceleration ◽  
Current Sheet ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Rotation Axis ◽  
Moving Frame ◽  
Particle Spectrum ◽  
Secondary Current ◽  
Flux Ropes ◽  
Pulsar Wind

Context. The formation of a large-scale current sheet is a generic feature of pulsar magnetospheres. If the magnetic axis is misaligned with the star rotation axis, the current sheet is an oscillatory structure filling an equatorial wedge determined by the inclination angle, known as the striped wind. Relativistic reconnection could lead to significant dissipation of magnetic energy and particle acceleration, although the efficiency of this process is debated in this context. Aims. In this study, we aim at reconciling global models of pulsar wind dynamics and reconnection in the stripes within the same numerical framework in order to shed new light on dissipation and particle acceleration in pulsar winds. Methods. To this end, we perform large three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations of a split-monopole magnetosphere, from the stellar surface up to 50 light-cylinder radii away from the pulsar. Results. Plasmoid-dominated reconnection efficiently fragments the current sheet into a dynamical network of interacting flux ropes separated by secondary current sheets that consume the field efficiently at all radii, even past the fast magnetosonic point. Our results suggest there is a universal dissipation radius solely determined by the reconnection rate in the sheet, lying well upstream from the termination shock radius in isolated pair-producing pulsars. The wind bulk Lorentz factor is much less relativistic than previously thought. In the co-moving frame, the wind is composed of hot pairs trapped within flux ropes with a hard broad power-law spectrum, whose maximum energy is limited by the magnetization of the wind at launch. Conclusions. We conclude that the striped wind is most likely fully dissipated when it enters the pulsar wind nebula. The predicted wind particle spectrum after dissipation is reminiscent of the Crab Nebula radio-emitting electrons.

scholarly journals Large-scale dynamo of accretion disks around supermassive nonrotating black holes

2006 ◽  
pp. 49-55
Author(s):  
A.L. Poplavsky ◽  
O.P. Kuznechik ◽  
N.I. Stetyukevich
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Black Holes ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Accretion Disks ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Stable Circular Orbit ◽  
General Relativistic

In this paper one presents an analytical model of accretion disk magnetosphere dynamics around supermassive nonrotating black holes in the centers of active galactic nuclei. Based on general relativistic equations of magneto hydrodynamics, the nonstationary solutions for time-dependent dynamo action in the accretion disks, spatial and temporal distribution of magnetic field are found. It is shown that there are two distinct stages of dynamo process: the transient and the steady-state regimes, the induction of magnetic field at t > 6:6665 x 1011GM/c3 s becomes stationary, magnetic field is located near the innermost stable circular orbit, and its value rises up to ~ 105 G. Applications of such systems with nonrotating black holes in real active galactic nuclei are discussed.

scholarly journals Particle Acceleration Mechanisms

1994 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 515-520
Author(s):  
R. D. Blandford
Keyword(s):  
Particle Acceleration ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Particle ◽  
Common Channel ◽  
Energy Particle ◽  
Particle Injection ◽  
Physical Mechanisms

AbstractHigh-energy particle acceleration is observed to proceed in a diverse variety of astrophysical sites ranging from the terrestrial aurorae to the most distant quasars. Particle acceleration is a fairly common channel for the release of large-scale kinetic, rotational, and magnetic energy. Physical mechanisms include electrostatic acceleration, stochastic processes and diffusive shock energization. Cosmic-ray energy spectra have shapes which reflect escape, collisional, and radiative losses. The overall acceleration efficiency is controlled by the low-energy particle injection which may, in turn, feed back into the energization. Recent observational developments, which illustrate these general principles and raise fresh questions, are briefly summarized.Subject heading: acceleration of particles

scholarly journals Magnetic Fields and Halos in Spiral Galaxies

Galaxies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marita Krause
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Spiral Galaxies ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Radio Continuum ◽  
Field Pattern ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Disk Plane ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Radio continuum and polarization observations reveal best the magnetic field structure and strength in nearby spiral galaxies. They show a similar magnetic field pattern, which is of spiral shape along the disk plane and X-shaped in the halo, sometimes accompanied by strong vertical fields above and below the central region of the disk. The strength of the total halo field is comparable to that of the disk. The small- and large-scale dynamo action is discussed to explain the observations with special emphasis on the rôle of star formation on the α − Ω dynamo and the magnetic field strength and structure in the disk and halo. Recently, with RM-synthesis of the CHANG-ES observations, we obtained the first observational evidence for the existence of regular magnetic fields in the halo. The analysis of the radio scale heights indicate escape-dominated radio halos with convective cosmic ray propagation for many galaxies. These galactic winds may be essential for an effective dynamo action and may transport large-scale magnetic field from the disk into the halo.

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