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Role of Cross-Helicity in Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
;  [1]
  1. Department of Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1150 University Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin 53706 (United States)
Strong incompressible three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic turbulence is investigated by means of high-resolution direct numerical simulations. The simulations show that the configuration space is characterized by regions of positive and negative cross-helicity, corresponding to highly aligned or antialigned velocity and magnetic field fluctuations, even when the average cross-helicity is zero. To elucidate the role of cross-helicity, the spectra and structure of turbulence are obtained in 'imbalanced' regions where cross-helicity is nonzero. When averaged over regions of positive and negative cross-helicity, the result is consistent with the simulations of balanced turbulence. An analytical explanation for the obtained results is proposed.
OSTI ID:
21180119
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 102; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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