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Observation of Nonaxisymmetric Standard Magnetorotational Instability Induced by a Free-Shear Layer

Journal Article · · Physical Review Letters
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [1];  [1]
  1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
  2. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
  3. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH (United States)
  4. Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
+ Show Author Affiliations
The standard magnetorotational instability (SMRI) with a magnetic field component parallel to the rotation axis is widely believed to be responsible for the fast accretion in astronomical disks. In conventional base flows with a Keplerian profile or an ideal Couette profile, most studies focus on axisymmetric SMRI, since excitation of nonaxisymmetric SMRI in such flows requires a magnetic Reynolds number (Rm) more than an order of magnitude larger. Here, we report that, in a magnetized Taylor-Couette flow, nonaxisymmetric SMRI with an azimuthal mode number m = 1 can be triggered by a free-shear layer in the base flow at Rm ≳1, the same threshold as for axisymmetric SMRI. Global linear analysis reveals that the free-shear layer reduces the required Rm, possibly by introducing an extremum in the vorticity of the base flow. Nonlinear simulations validate the results from linear analysis and confirm that a novel instability recently discovered experimentally [Wang et al., Nat. Commun. 13, 4679 (2022)] is the nonaxisymmetric m =1 SMRI. Further, our finding has astronomical implications as free-shear layers are ubiquitous in celestial systems, such as the disk-star boundary layer, the solar tachocline, and the edge of planet-opened gaps in protoplanetary disks.
Research Organization:
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-09CH11466
OSTI ID:
2547002
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 2544393
Journal Information:
Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 13 Vol. 134; ISSN 0031-9007
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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