Destruction of large-scale magnetic field in non-linear simulations of the shear dynamo

The Sun's magnetic field exhibits coherence in space and time on much larger scales than the turbulent convection that ultimately powers the dynamo. In the past the α-effect (mean-field) concept has been used to model the solar cycle, but recent work has cast doubt on the validity of the mean-field ansatz under solar conditions. This indicates that one should seek an alternative mechanism for generating large-scale structure. One possibility is the recently proposed ‘shear dynamo’ mechanism where large-scale magnetic fields are generated in the presence of a simple shear. Further investigation of this proposition is required, however, because work has been focused on the linear regime with a uniform shear profile thus far. In this paper we report results of the extension of the original shear dynamo model into the nonlinear regime. We find that whilst large-scale structure can initially persist into the saturated regime, in several of our simulations it is destroyed via large increase in kinetic energy. This result casts doubt on the ability of the simple uniform shear dynamo mechanism to act as an alternative to the α-effect in solar conditions.This work was supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council, grant ST/L000636/1.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Oxford University Press via http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stw49

The dynamics of magnetic Rossby waves in spherical dynamo simulations: A signature of strong-field dynamos?

We investigate slow magnetic Rossby waves in convection-driven dynamos in rotating spherical shells. Quasi-geostrophic waves riding on a mean zonal flow may account for some of the geomagnetic westward drifts and have the potential to allow the toroidal field strength within the planetary fluid core to be estimated. We extend the work of Hori et al. (2015) to include a wider range of models, and perform a detailed analysis of the results. We find that a predicted dispersion relation matches well with the longitudinal drifts observed in our strong-field dynamos. We discuss the validity of our linear theory, since we also find that the nonlinear Lorentz terms influence the observed waveforms. These wave motions are excited by convective instability, which determines the preferred azimuthal wavenumbers. Studies of linear rotating magnetoconvection have suggested that slow magnetic Rossby modes emerge in the magnetostrophic regime, in which the Lorentz and Coriolis forces are in balance in the vorticity equation. We confirm this to be predominant balance for the slow waves we have detected in nonlinear dynamo systems. We also show that a completely different wave regime emerges if the magnetic field is not present. Finally we report the corresponding radial magnetic field variations observed at the surface of the shell in our simulations and discuss the detectability of these waves in the geomagnetic secular variation

Quasi-cyclic behaviour in non-linear simulations of the shear dynamo

The solar magnetic field displays features on a wide range of length-scales including spatial and temporal coherence on scales considerably larger than the chaotic convection that generates the field. Explaining how the Sun generates and sustains such large-scale magnetic field has been a major challenge of dynamo theory for many decades. Traditionally, the ‘mean-field’ approach, utilizing the well-known α-effect, has been used to explain the generation of large-scale field from small-scale turbulence. However, with the advent of increasingly high-resolution computer simulations there is doubt as to whether the mean-field method is applicable under solar conditions. Models such as the ‘shear dynamo’ provide an alternative mechanism for the generation of large-scale field. In recent work, we showed that while coherent magnetic field was possible under kinematic conditions (where the kinetic energy is far greater than magnetic energy), the saturated state typically displayed a destruction of large-scale field and a transition to a small-scale state. In this paper, we report that the quenching of large-scale field in this way is not the only regime possible in the saturated state of this model. Across a range of simulations, we find a quasi-cyclic behaviour where a large-scale field is preserved and oscillates between two preferred length-scales. In this regime, the kinetic and magnetic energies can be of a similar order of magnitude. These results demonstrate that there is mileage in the shear dynamo as a model for the solar dynamo.This work was supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council, grant ST/L000636/1

Torsional waves driven by convection and jets in Earth’s liquid core

Turbulence and waves in Earth’s iron-rich liquid outer core are believed to be responsible for the generation of the geomagnetic field via dynamo action. When waves break upon the mantle they cause a shift in the rotation rate of Earth’s solid exterior and contribute to variations in the length-of-day on a ∼6-year timescale. Though the outer core cannot be probed by direct observation, such torsional waves are believed to propagate along Earth’s radial magnetic field, but as yet no self-consistent mechanism for their generation has been determined. Here we provide evidence of a realistic physical excitation mechanism for torsional waves observed in numerical simulations. We find that inefficient convection above and below the solid inner core traps buoyant fluid forming a density gradient between pole and equator, similar to that observed in Earth’s atmosphere. Consequently a shearing jet stream - a ‘thermal wind’ - is formed near the inner core; evidence of such a jet has recently been found. Owing to the sharp density gradient and influence of magnetic field, convection at this location is able to operate with the turnover frequency required to generate waves. Amplified by the jet it then triggers a train of oscillations. Our results demonstrate a plausible mechanism for generating torsional waves under Earth-like conditions and thus further cement their importance for Earth’s core dynamics

Anelastic torsional oscillations in Jupiter's metallic hydrogen region

We consider torsional Alfvén waves which may be excited in Jupiter's metallic hydrogen region. These axisymmetric zonal flow fluctuations have previously been examined for incompressible fluids in the context of Earth's liquid iron core. Theoretical models of the deep-seated Jovian dynamo, implementing radial changes of density and electrical conductivity in the equilibrium model, have reproduced its strong, dipolar magnetic field. Analysing such models, we find anelastic torsional waves travelling perpendicular to the rotation axis in the metallic region on timescales of at least several years. Being excited by the more vigorous convection in the outer part of the dynamo region, they can propagate both inwards and outwards. When being reflected at a magnetic tangent cylinder at the transition to the molecular region, they can form standing waves. Identifying such reflections in observational data could determine the depth at which the metallic region effectively begins. Also, this may distinguish Jovian torsional waves from those in Earth's core, where observational evidence has suggested waves mainly travelling outwards from the rotation axis. These waves can transport angular momentum and possibly give rise to variations in Jupiter's rotation period of magnitude no greater than tens of milliseconds. In addition these internal disturbances could give rise to a 10% change over time in the zonal flows at a depth of 3000 km below the surface

An accelerating high-latitude jet in Earth's core

Observations of the change in Earth's magnetic field, the secular variation, provide information on the motion of liquid metal within the core that is responsible for its generation. The very latest high-resolution observations from ESA's Swarm satellite mission show intense field change at high-latitude localised in a distinctive circular daisy-chain configuration centred on the north geographic pole. Here we explain this feature with a localised, non-axisymmetric, westwards jet of 420 km width on the tangent cylinder, the cylinder of fluid within the core that is aligned with the rotation axis and tangent to the solid inner core. We find that the jet has increased in magnitude by a factor of three over the period 2000--2016 to about 40 km/yr, and is now much stronger than typical large-scale flows inferred for the core. The current accelerating phase may be a part of a longer term fluctuation of the jet causing both eastwards and westwards movement of magnetic features over historical periods, and may contribute to recent changes in torsional wave activity and the rotation direction of the inner core

Axisymmetric simulations of the convective overstability in protoplanetary discs

ABSTRACT Protoplanetary discs at certain radii exhibit adverse radial entropy gradients that can drive oscillatory convection (‘convective overstability’; COS). The ensuing hydrodynamical activity may reshape the radial thermal structure of the disc while mixing solid material radially and vertically or, alternatively, concentrating it in vortical structures. We perform local axisymmetric simulations of the COS using the code snoopy, showing first how parasites halt the instability’s exponential growth, and secondly, the different saturation routes it takes subsequently. As the Reynolds and (pseudo-) Richardson numbers increase, the system moves successively from (i) a weakly non-linear state characterized by relatively ordered non-linear waves, to (ii) wave turbulence, and finally to (iii) the formation of intermittent and then persistent zonal flows. In three dimensions, we expect the latter flows to spawn vortices in the orbital plane. Given the very high Reynolds numbers in protoplanetary discs, the third regime should be the most prevalent. As a consequence, we argue that the COS is an important dynamical process in planet formation, especially near features such as dead zone edges, ice lines, gaps, and dust rings.</jats:p