Nonlinear dynamo in a short Taylor-Couette setup

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates through numerical simulations that a short Taylor-Couette setup with a body force can sustain dynamo action, showing similarities to spherical geometries and exhibiting complex nonlinear magnetic behavior.

Contribution

It provides the first numerical evidence of dynamo action in a short Taylor-Couette setup with a body force, highlighting its potential for experimental realization.

Findings

Dynamo action is sustained in the setup.

The magnetic threshold is comparable to spherical geometries.

The nonlinear regime shows fluctuating energies and magnetic field reversals.

Abstract

It is numerically demonstrated by means of a magnetohydrodynamics code that a short Taylor-Couette setup with a body force can sustain dynamo action. The magnetic threshold is comparable to what is usually obtained in spherical geometries. The linear dynamo is characterized by a rotating equatorial dipole. The nonlinear regime is characterized by fluctuating kinetic and magnetic energies and a tilted dipole whose axial component exhibits aperiodic reversals during the time evolution. These numerical evidences of dynamo action in a short Taylor-Couette setup may be useful for developing an experimental device.