Anisotropic energy transfers in quasi-static magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

TL;DR

This paper uses direct numerical simulations to analyze anisotropic energy transfers in quasi-static MHD turbulence, revealing directional energy transfer patterns and cascade behaviors at high interaction parameters.

Contribution

It provides detailed insights into the anisotropic energy transfer mechanisms and the quasi two-dimensionalization process in quasi-static MHD turbulence at high interaction parameters.

Findings

Energy transfers are anisotropic and depend on polar angles.

Perpendicular component exhibits inverse energy cascade.

Parallel component shows forward energy cascade.

Abstract

We perform direct numerical simulations of quasi-static magnetohydrodynamic turbulence, and compute various energy transfers including the ring-to-ring and conical energy transfers, and the energy fluxes of the perpendicular and parallel components of the velocity field. We show that the rings with higher polar angles transfer energy to ones with lower polar angles. For large interaction parameters, the dominant energy transfer takes place near the equator (polar angle $\theta \approx \frac{\pi}{2}$). The energy transfers are local both in wavenumbers and angles. The energy flux of the perpendicular component is predominantly from higher to lower wavenumbers (inverse cascade of energy), while that of the parallel component is from lower to higher wavenumbers (forward cascade of energy). Our results are consistent with earlier results, which indicate quasi two-dimensionalization of quasi-static magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flows at high interaction parameters.