scholarly journals Application of a helicity proxy to edge-on galaxies

2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (4) ◽  
pp. 4749-4759
Author(s):  
Axel Brandenburg ◽  
Ray S Furuya
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Magnetic Helicity ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Rotationally Invariant ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Mean Field Dynamo

ABSTRACT We study the prospects of detecting magnetic helicity in galaxies by observing the dust polarization of the edge-on galaxy NGC 891. Our numerical results of mean-field dynamo calculations show that there should be a large-scale component of the rotationally invariant parity-odd B polarization that we predict to be negative in the first and third quadrants, and positive in the second and fourth quadrants. The large-scale parity-even E polarization is predicted to be negative near the axis and positive further away in the outskirts. These properties are shown to be mostly a consequence of the magnetic field being azimuthal and the polarized intensity being maximum at the centre of the galaxy and are not a signature of magnetic helicity.

scholarly journals Mean Field Dynamo Saturation: Toward Understanding Conflicting Results

2002 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 736-738
Author(s):  
Eric G. Blackman ◽  
George B. Field
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Magnetic Helicity ◽  
Boundary Terms ◽  
Helicity Conservation ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Mean Field Dynamo

AbstractMean field dynamos may explain the origin of large scale magnetic fields of galaxies, but controversy arises over the extent of dynamo quenching by the growing field. Here we explain how apparently conflicting results may be mutually consistent, by showing the role of magnetic helicity conservation and boundary terms usually neglected. We estimate the associated magnetic energy flowing out of the Galaxy but emphasize that the mechanism of field escape needs to be addressed.

scholarly journals Mean-Field Magnetohydrodynamics as a Basis of Solar Dynamo Theory

1976 ◽  
Vol 71 ◽  
pp. 323-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-H. Rädler
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Solar Radius ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Dynamo Theory ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Complicated Situation ◽  
Insight Into

One of the most striking features of both the magnetic field and the motions observed at the Sun is their highly irregular or random character which indicates the presence of rather complicated magnetohydrodynamic processes. Of great importance in this context is a comprehension of the behaviour of the large scale components of the magnetic field; large scales are understood here as length scales in the order of the solar radius and time scales of a few years. Since there is a strong relationship between these components and the solar 22-years cycle, an insight into the mechanism controlling these components also provides for an insight into the mechanism of the cycle. The large scale components of the magnetic field are determined not only by their interaction with the large scale components of motion. On the contrary, a very important part is played also by an interaction between the large and the small scale components of magnetic field and motion so that a very complicated situation has to be considered.

Existence and Energy Balance of the Solar Dynamo

1993 ◽  
Vol 157 ◽  
pp. 19-23
Author(s):  
J.H.G.M. van Geffen
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Energy Balance ◽  
Energy Method ◽  
Magnetic Energy ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Solar Dynamo ◽  
Ensemble Averaging ◽  
Dynamo Theory ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Mean Field Dynamo

The idea behind the use of ensemble averaging and the finite magnetic energy method of van Geffen and Hoyng (1992) is briefly discussed. Applying this method to the solar dynamo shows that the turbulence — an essential ingredient of traditional mean field dynamo theory — poses grave problems: the turbulence makes the magnetic field so unstable that it becomes impossible to recognize any period.

The nonlinear properties of a large-scale dynamo driven by helical forcing

2002 ◽  
Vol 456 ◽  
pp. 219-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
FAUSTO CATTANEO ◽  
DAVID W. HUGHES ◽  
JEAN-CLAUDE THELEN
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Initial Conditions ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Forced Flow ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Initial State ◽  
The Magnetic Field

By considering an idealized model of helically forced flow in an extended domain that allows scale separation, we have investigated the interaction between dynamo action on different spatial scales. The evolution of the magnetic field is studied numerically, from an initial state of weak magnetization, through the kinematic and into the dynamic regime. We show how the choice of initial conditions is a crucial factor in determining the structure of the magnetic field at subsequent times. For a simulation with initial conditions chosen to favour the growth of the small-scale field, the evolution of the large-scale magnetic field can be described in terms of the α-effect of mean field magnetohydrodynamics. We have investigated this feature further by a series of related numerical simulations in smaller domains. Of particular significance is that the results are consistent with the existence of a nonlinearly driven α-effect that becomes saturated at very small amplitudes of the mean magnetic field.

scholarly journals Asymptotic Methods in the Nonlinear Mean-field Dynamo

1991 ◽  
Vol 130 ◽  
pp. 135-139
Author(s):  
D.D. Sokoloff ◽  
A. Shukurov ◽  
A.A. Ruzmaikin
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Steady State ◽  
Main Part ◽  
Asymptotic Methods ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Coriolis Forces ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Mean Field Dynamo

AbstractWe discuss the methods and results of analysis of nonlinear mean-field dynamo models based on α-quenching in two asymptotic regimes, namely for weakly and highly supercritical excitation. In the former case the spatial distribution of the steady-state magnetic field is close to that given by the neutrally stable eigenfunction of the corresponding kinematic dynamo. In the latter case the magnetic field distribution within the main part of the dynamo volume is presumably determined by the balance between the Lorentz and Coriolis forces while near the boundaries boundary layers arise in which the field adjusts itself to the boundary conditions. The asymptotic behaviour of the highly supercritical αω-dynamos is sensitive to the particular form of dependence of the mean helicity on magnetic field while α2-dynamos are less sensitive to this dependence.

scholarly journals Filamentary Structures Near the Galactic Center

1989 ◽  
Vol 136 ◽  
pp. 243-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Yusef-Zadeh
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Galactic Center ◽  
Galactic Plane ◽  
Galactic Rotation ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Magnetic Structures ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Field Lines ◽  
The Magnetic Field

Recent studies of the Galactic center environment have revealed a wealth of new thermal and nonthermal features with unusual characteristics. A system of nonthermal filamentary structures tracing magnetic field lines are found to extend over 200pc in the direction perpendicular to the Galactic plane. Ionized structures, like nonthermal features, appear filamentary and show forbidden velocity fields in the sense of Galactic rotation and large line widths. Faraday rotation characteristics and the flat spectral index distributions of the nonthermal filaments suggest a mixture of thermal and nonthermal gas. Furthermore, the relative spatial distributions of the magnetic structures with respect to those of the ionized and molecular gas suggest a physical interaction between these two systems. In spite of numerous questions concerning the origin of the large-scale organized magnetic structures, the mechanism by which particles are accelerated to relativistic energies, and the source or sources of heating the dust and gas, recent studies have been able to distinguish the inner 200pc of the nucleus from the disk of the Galaxy in at least two more respects: (1) the recognition that the magnetic field has a large-scale structure and is strong, uniform and dynamically important; and (2) the physics of interstellar matter may be dominated by the poloidal component of the magnetic field.

scholarly journals The effect of velocity shear on dynamo action due to rotating convection

2013 ◽  
Vol 717 ◽  
pp. 395-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Hughes ◽  
M. R. E. Proctor
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Velocity Field ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Magnetic Reynolds Number ◽  
Velocity Shear ◽  
Magnetic Field Generation ◽  
Dynamo Action ◽  
Rotating Convection ◽  
The Magnetic Field

AbstractRecent numerical simulations of dynamo action resulting from rotating convection have revealed some serious problems in applying the standard picture of mean field electrodynamics at high values of the magnetic Reynolds number, and have thereby underlined the difficulties in large-scale magnetic field generation in this regime. Here we consider kinematic dynamo processes in a rotating convective layer of Boussinesq fluid with the additional influence of a large-scale horizontal velocity shear. Incorporating the shear flow enhances the dynamo growth rate and also leads to the generation of significant magnetic fields on large scales. By the technique of spectral filtering, we analyse the modes in the velocity that are principally responsible for dynamo action, and show that the magnetic field resulting from the full flow relies crucially on a range of scales in the velocity field. Filtering the flow to provide a true separation of scales between the shear and the convective flow also leads to dynamo action; however, the magnetic field in this case has a very different structure from that generated by the full velocity field. We also show that the nature of the dynamo action is broadly similar irrespective of whether the flow in the absence of shear can support dynamo action.

scholarly journals A dynamo amplifying the magnetic field of a Milky-Way-like galaxy

2020 ◽  
Vol 641 ◽  
pp. A165
Author(s):  
Evangelia Ntormousi ◽  
Konstantinos Tassis ◽  
Fabio Del Sordo ◽  
Francesca Fragkoudi ◽  
Rüdiger Pakmor
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Fields ◽  
Spiral Galaxies ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Dark Matter Halo ◽  
Random Component ◽  
Galactic Magnetic Field ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Mean Field Dynamo

Context. The magnetic fields of spiral galaxies are so strong that they cannot qualify as primordial. Their typical values are over one billion times higher than any value predicted for the early Universe. Explaining this immense growth and incorporating it in galaxy evolution theories is one of the long-standing challenges in astrophysics. Aims. So far, the most successful theory for the sustained growth of the galactic magnetic field is the alpha-omega dynamo. This theory predicts a characteristic dipolar or quadrupolar morphology for the galactic magnetic field, which has been observed in external galaxies. So far, however, there has been no direct demonstration of a mean-field dynamo operating in direct, multi-physics simulations of spiral galaxies. We carry out such a demonstration in this work. Methods. We employed numerical models of isolated, star-forming spiral galaxies that include a magnetized gaseous disk, a dark matter halo, stars, and stellar feedback. Naturally, the resulting magnetic field has a complex morphology that includes a strong random component. Using a smoothing of the magnetic field on small scales, we were able to separate the mean from the turbulent component and analyze them individually. Results. We find that a mean-field dynamo naturally occurs as a result of the dynamical evolution of the galaxy and amplifies the magnetic field by an order of magnitude over half a Gyr. Despite the highly dynamical nature of these models, the morphology of the mean component of the field is identical to analytical predictions. Conclusions. This result underlines the importance of the mean-field dynamo in galactic evolution. Moreover, by demonstrating the natural growth of the magnetic field in a complex galactic environment, it brings us a step closer to understanding the cosmic origin of magnetic fields.

scholarly journals Current helicity constraints in solar dynamo models

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S294) ◽  
pp. 313-318
Author(s):  
D. Sokoloff ◽  
H. Zhang ◽  
D. Moss ◽  
N. Kleeorin ◽  
K. Kuzanyan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Active Regions ◽  
Solar Dynamo ◽  
Magnetic Helicity ◽  
Dynamo Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Mean Field Dynamo ◽  
Current Helicity

AbstractWe investigate to what extent the current helicity distribution observed in solar active regions is compatible with solar dynamo models. We use an advanced 2D mean-field dynamo model with dynamo action largely concentrated near the bottom of the convective zone, and dynamo saturation based on the evolution of the magnetic helicity and algebraic quenching. For comparison, we also studied a more basic 2D mean-field dynamo model with simple algebraic alpha quenching only. Using these numerical models we obtain butterfly diagrams for both the small-scale current helicity and the large-scale magnetic helicity, and compare them with the butterfly diagram for the current helicity in active regions obtained from observations. This comparison shows that the current helicity of active regions, as estimated by −A·B evaluated at the depth from which the active region arises, resembles the observational data much better than the small-scale current helicity calculated directly from the helicity evolution equation. Here B and A are respectively the dynamo generated mean magnetic field and its vector potential.

scholarly journals General Relativistic Mean-Field Dynamo Model for Proto-Neutron Stars

Universe ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (6) ◽  
pp. 83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Franceschetti ◽  
Luca Del Zanna
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Neutron Stars ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Exponential Growth ◽  
Mean Field ◽  
Dynamo Model ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
General Relativistic ◽  
The Magnetic Field ◽  
Mean Field Dynamo

Neutron stars, and magnetars in particular, are known to host the strongest magnetic fields in the Universe. The origin of these strong fields is a matter of controversy. In this preliminary work, via numerical simulations, we study, for the first time in non-ideal general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) regime, the growth of the magnetic field due to the action of the mean-field dynamo due to sub-scale, unresolved turbulence. The dynamo process, combined with the differential rotation of the (proto-)star, is able to produce an exponential growth of any initial magnetic seed field up to the values required to explain the observations. By varying the dynamo coefficient we obtain different growth rates. We find a quasi-linear dependence of the growth rates on the intensity of the dynamo. Furthermore, the time interval in which exponential growth occurs and the growth rates also seems to depend on the initial configuration of the magnetic field.

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