Universality of the Small-Scale Dynamo Mechanism

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that the fundamental dynamo mechanism in turbulent flows is universal across different physical conditions, including those relevant to the Sun, in the kinematic regime, despite differences in saturated states.

Contribution

It shows that the energy transfer process in turbulent dynamos is universal in the kinematic regime regardless of physical effects like stratification and compressibility.

Findings

Dynamo mechanism is universal in the kinematic regime.

Physical effects like stratification do not alter the dynamo process.

Saturated states vary depending on flow at driving scales.

Abstract

We quantify possible differences between turbulent dynamo action in the Sun and the dynamo action studied in idealized simulations. For this purpose we compare Fourier-space shell-to-shell energy transfer rates of three incrementally more complex dynamo simulations: an incompressible, periodic simulation driven by random flow, a simulation of Boussinesq convection, and a simulation of fully compressible convection that includes physics relevant to the near-surface layers of the Sun. For each of the simulations studied, we find that the dynamo mechanism is universal in the kinematic regime because energy is transferred from the turbulent flow to the magnetic field from wavenumbers in the inertial range of the energy spectrum. The addition of physical effects relevant to the solar near-surface layers, including stratification, compressibility, partial ionization, and radiative energy transport, does not appear to affect the nature of the dynamo mechanism. The role of inertial-range shear stresses in magnetic field amplification is independent from outer-scale circumstances, including forcing and stratification. Although the shell-to-shell energy transfer functions have similar properties to those seen in mean-flow driven dynamos in each simulation studied, the saturated states of these simulations are not universal because the flow at the driving wavenumbers is a significant source of energy for the magnetic field.