The magnetic shear-current effect: generation of large-scale magnetic fields by the small-scale dynamo

TL;DR

This paper introduces the magnetic shear-current effect, a new large-scale dynamo mechanism driven by magnetic fluctuations interacting with shear flow, which can operate without helicity and may explain magnetic field generation in astrophysical turbulence.

Contribution

It presents numerical evidence and a heuristic model for a novel nonhelical dynamo mechanism involving magnetic fluctuations and shear flow, expanding understanding of magnetic field generation.

Findings

The magnetic shear-current effect can generate large-scale magnetic fields.

Magnetic fluctuations enhance dynamo action beyond kinematic effects.

The effect is relevant for astrophysical turbulence and accretion disks.

Abstract

A novel large-scale dynamo mechanism, the magnetic shear-current effect, is discussed and explored. The effect relies on the interaction of magnetic fluctuations with a mean shear flow, meaning the saturated state of the small-scale dynamo can drive a large-scale dynamo -- in some sense the inverse of dynamo quenching. The dynamo is nonhelical, with the mean-field $\alpha$ coefficient zero, and is caused by the interaction between an off-diagonal component of the turbulent resistivity and the stretching of the large-scale field by shear flow. Following up on previous numerical and analytic work, this paper presents further details of the numerical evidence for the effect, as well as an heuristic description of how magnetic fluctuations can interact with shear flow to produce the required electromotive force. The pressure response of the fluid is fundamental to this mechanism, which helps explain why the magnetic effect is stronger than its kinematic cousin, and the basic idea is related to the well-known lack of turbulent resistivity quenching by magnetic fluctuations. As well as being interesting for its applications to general high Reynolds number astrophysical turbulence, where strong small-scale magnetic fluctuations are expected to be prevalent, the magnetic shear-current effect is a likely candidate for large-scale dynamo in the unstratified regions of ionized accretion disks. Evidence for this is discussed, as well as future research directions and the challenges involved with understanding details of the effect in astrophysically relevant regimes.