Convective Babcock-Leighton Dynamo Models

TL;DR

This paper introduces the first 3D global simulations of solar/stellar convection that incorporate the Babcock-Leighton mechanism, demonstrating its role in promoting cyclic magnetic activity with some solar-like features.

Contribution

It presents a novel integration of the Babcock-Leighton flux emergence process into 3D convection models, advancing the simulation of solar and stellar magnetic cycles.

Findings

Cyclic activity can be generated in convection simulations with the Babcock-Leighton mechanism.

Some cycle features resemble solar observations, such as equatorward flux propagation.

Cycle periods in the model are short (~6 months) due to high field generation efficiency.

Abstract

We present the first global, three-dimensional simulations of solar/stellar convection that take into account the influence of magnetic flux emergence by means of the Babcock-Leighton (BL) mechanism. We have shown that the inclusion of a BL poloidal source term in a convection simulation can promote cyclic activity in an otherwise steady dynamo. Some cycle properties are reminiscent of solar observations, such as the equatorward propagation of toroidal flux near the base of the convection zone. However, the cycle period in this young sun (rotating three times faster than the solar rate) is very short ($\sim$ 6 months) and it is unclear whether much longer cycles may be achieved within this modeling framework, given the high efficiency of field generation and transport by the convection. Even so, the incorporation of mean-field parameterizations in 3D convection simulations to account for elusive processes such as flux emergence may well prove useful in the future modeling of solar and stellar activity cycles.