Angular momentum fluxes caused by Lambda-effect and meridional circulation structure of the Sun

TL;DR

This study uses mean-field hydrodynamic models to explore how the Lambda-effect influences the Sun's angular momentum fluxes and the resulting complex meridional circulation patterns, including a potential triple-cell structure.

Contribution

It demonstrates that the non-monotonic latitudinal dependence of radial angular momentum fluxes can lead to intricate meridional circulation structures in the solar convection zone.

Findings

Possible existence of a triple-cell meridional circulation pattern.

Identification of two large counterclockwise cells and a smaller clockwise cell.

Radial angular momentum fluxes significantly influence circulation cell stacking.

Abstract

Using mean-field hydrodynamic models of the solar angular momentum balance we show that the non-monotonic latitudinal dependence of the radial angular momentum fluxes caused by Lambda-effect can affect the number of the meridional circulation cells stacking in radial direction in the solar convection zone. In particular, our results show the possibility of a complicated triple-cell meridional circulation structure. This pattern consists of two large counterclockwise circulation cells (the N-hemisphere) and a smaller clockwise cell located at low latitudes at the bottom of the convection zone.