| 1. |
- Bonanno, Alfio, et al.
(author)
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Analytic mean-field alpha(2)-dynamo with a force-free corona
- 2017
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 605
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. Stellar dynamos are affected by boundary conditions imposed by stellar coronae. Under some approximations, it is possible to find analytical solutions. Interior dynamo models often consider a current-free corona without taking into account the constraints imposed by the presence of currents in the corona. Aims. We aim to analytically evaluate the effect of coronal currents and of an outer boundary condition on the efficiency of an alpha(2) dynamo. We intend to estimate the change in geometry and dynamo excitation numbers with respect to the current-free case. Methods. We analytically solved the turbulent dynamo induction equation for a homogeneous, non-mirror symmetric turbulence in a spherical domain surrounded by a linear force-free corona with the mean magnetic field B satisfying del x B = beta B. Results. The dynamo number is a decreasing function of beta. Moreover, if the current is parallel to the field (beta > 0), the dynamo number is smaller than in the force- free case. In contrast, for (beta < 0), the dynamo number is greater than in the force-free case. Conclusions. Currents in the corona need to be taken into account because they affect the condition for excitation of a dynamo.
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| 2. |
- Bonanno, Alfio, et al.
(author)
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On the possibility of helicity oscillations in the saturation of the Tayler instability
- 2017
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In: Astronomical Notes - Astronomische Nachrichten. - : Wiley. - 0004-6337 .- 1521-3994. ; 338:5, s. 516-526
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recent numerical results of current-driven instabilities at low magnetic Prandtl number and high Hartmann number support the possibility of a saturation state characterized by helicity oscillations. We investigate the underlying mechanism by analyzing this possibility using a higher order Landau-Ginzburg effective Lagrangian for the weakly nonlinear amplitude dynamics, where the magnetic and velocity perturbations are linearly dependent. We find that, if the mirror symmetry between left- and right-handed modes is spontaneously broken, it is impossible to achieve an oscillating helical state. We argue that the result is likely to hold also for adding higher order terms and in the presence of an explicit symmetry breaking. We conclude that an oscillating saturating state for the Tayler instability is unlikely to depend on the interaction of chiral modes.
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