Self-Sustaining Nonlinear Dynamo Process in Keplerian Shear Flows

Journal Article · Fri Jun 22 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.98.254502· OSTI ID:20953310

Rincon, F; Ogilvie, G I; Proctor, M R. E. ^[1]

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1. Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, University of Cambridge, Wilberforce Road, Cambridge CB3 0WA (United Kingdom)

A three-dimensional nonlinear dynamo process is identified in rotating plane Couette flow in the Keplerian regime. It is analogous to the hydrodynamic self-sustaining process in nonrotating shear flows and relies on the magnetorotational instability of a toroidal magnetic field. Steady nonlinear solutions are computed numerically for a wide range of magnetic Reynolds numbers but are restricted to low Reynolds numbers. This process may be important to explain the sustenance of coherent fields and turbulent motions in Keplerian accretion disks, where all its basic ingredients are present.

• OSTI ID: 20953310
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 98, Issue 25; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.254502; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
ACCRETION DISKS
COUETTE FLOW
INSTABILITY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL SOLUTIONS
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
REYNOLDS NUMBER
THREE-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS