Grand Minima and Equatorward Propagation in a Cycling Stellar Convective Dynamo

TL;DR

This study uses 3D MHD simulations to explore magnetic cycle behaviors, including grand minima, in a rapidly rotating stellar convection model, revealing complex magnetic field dynamics and polarity reversals.

Contribution

It demonstrates the occurrence of grand minima and equatorward magnetic propagation in a stellar dynamo simulation, highlighting the roles of differential rotation and symmetric/antisymmetric dynamo modes.

Findings

Magnetic cycle period of roughly 6.2 years.

Identification of grand minima lasting about 16 years.

Dynamo characterized as an $oldsymbol{ m oldsymbol{ m ext{ extalpha}}}$-$oldsymbol{ m extOmega}$ type.

Abstract

The 3-D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Anelastic Spherical Harmonic (ASH) code, using slope-limited diffusion, is employed to capture convective and dynamo processes achieved in a global-scale stellar convection simulation for a model solar-mass star rotating at three times the solar rate. The dynamo generated magnetic fields possesses many time scales, with a prominent polarity cycle occurring roughly every 6.2 years. The magnetic field forms large-scale toroidal wreaths, whose formation is tied to the low Rossby number of the convection in this simulation. The polarity reversals are linked to the weakened differential rotation and a resistive collapse of the large-scale magnetic field. An equatorial migration of the magnetic field is seen, which is due to the strong modulation of the differential rotation rather than a dynamo wave. A poleward migration of magnetic flux from the equator eventually leads to the reversal of the polarity of the high-latitude magnetic field. This simulation also enters an interval with reduced magnetic energy at low latitudes lasting roughly 16 years (about 2.5 polarity cycles), during which the polarity cycles are disrupted and after which the dynamo recovers its regular polarity cycles. An analysis of this grand minimum reveals that it likely arises through the interplay of symmetric and antisymmetric dynamo families. This intermittent dynamo state potentially results from the simulations relatively low magnetic Prandtl number. A mean-field-based analysis of this dynamo simulation demonstrates that it is of the $\alpha$-$\Omega$ type. The time scales that appear to be relevant to the magnetic polarity reversal are also identified.