Mode analysis of numerical geodynamo models

TL;DR

This paper validates the mode expansion method for analyzing geodynamo models by comparing theoretical and numerical mode coefficients, showing good agreement and discussing limitations due to non-self-adjoint eigenmodes.

Contribution

It provides a validation of the dynamo mode analysis method for a specific class of geodynamo models through detailed numerical and theoretical comparison.

Findings

Good agreement between theoretical and numerical mode coefficients

Deviations attributed to theoretical approximations

Eigenmodes are not self-adjoint, affecting spectral interpretation

Abstract

It has been suggested in Hoyng (2009) that dynamo action can be analysed by expansion of the magnetic field into dynamo modes and statistical evaluation of the mode coefficients. We here validate this method by analysing a numerical geodynamo model and comparing the numerically derived mean mode coefficients with the theoretical predictions. The model belongs to the class of kinematically stable dynamos with a dominating axisymmetric, antisymmetric with respect to the equator and non-periodic fundamental dynamo mode. The analysis requires a number of steps: the computation of the so-called dynamo coefficients, the derivation of the temporally and azimuthally averaged dynamo eigenmodes and the decomposition of the magnetic field of the numerical geodynamo model into the eigenmodes. For the determination of the theoretical mode excitation levels the turbulent velocity field needs to be projected on the dynamo eigenmodes. We compare the theoretically and numerically derived mean mode coefficients and find reasonably good agreement for most of the modes. Some deviation might be attributable to the approximation involved in the theory. Since the dynamo eigenmodes are not self-adjoint a spectral interpretation of the eigenmodes is not possible.