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{alpha}-effect dynamos with zero kinetic helicity

Journal Article · · Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print)
;  [1]
  1. Astrophysical Institute Potsdam, An der Sternwarte 16, D-14482 Potsdam (Germany)
A simple explicit example of a Roberts-type dynamo is given in which the {alpha} effect of mean-field electrodynamics exists in spite of pointwise vanishing kinetic helicity of the fluid flow. In this way, it is shown that {alpha}-effect dynamos do not necessarily require nonzero kinetic helicity. A mean-field theory of Roberts-type dynamos is established within the framework of the second-order correlation approximation. In addition, numerical solutions of the original dynamo equations are given that are independent of any approximation of that kind. Both theory and numerical results demonstrate the possibility of dynamo action in the absence of kinetic helicity.
OSTI ID:
21101948
Journal Information:
Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print), Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics (Print) Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 77; ISSN 1539-3755
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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