The 2D dynamics of radiative zones of low-mass stars

TL;DR

This paper models the 2D internal dynamics of low-mass stars' radiative zones to understand angular momentum transport, revealing how different rotation profiles emerge depending on stellar rotation rates and emphasizing the need for advanced models.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic 2D modeling approach to study differential rotation in stellar radiative zones, connecting rotation profiles with Rossby number regimes and highlighting the importance of multi-dimensional effects.

Findings

Geostrophic flow dominates at high Rossby numbers with cylindrical rotation.

Baroclinic flow dominates at low Rossby numbers with shellular rotation.

Surface shear influences internal dynamics but cannot alone produce flat rotation profiles.

Abstract

In the context of secular evolution, we describe the dynamics of the radiative core of low-mass stars to understand the internal transport of angular momentum in such stars which results in a solid rotation in the Sun from 0.7R_sun to 0.2R_sun and a weak radial core-envelope differential rotation in solar-type stars. This study requires at least a 2D description to capture the latitudinal variations of the differential rotation. We build 2D numerical models of a radiative core on the top of which we impose a latitudinal shear so as to reproduce a cylindrical differential rotation in a convective envelope. We perform a systematic study over the Rossby number measuring the latitudinal differential rotation at the radiative-convective interface. The imposed shear generates a geostrophic flow implying a cylindrical differential rotation. When compared to the baroclinic flow that arises from the stable stratification, we find that the geostrophic flow is dominant when the Rossby number is high enough with a cylindrical rotation profile. For low Rossby numbers, the baroclinic solution dominates with a quasi-shellular rotation profile. Using scaling laws from 3D simulations, we show that slow rotators are expected to have a cylindrical rotation profile. Fast rotators may have a shellular profile at the beginning of the main-sequence in stellar radiative zones. This study enables us to predict different types of differential rotation and emphasizes the need of a new generation of 2D rotating stellar models developed in synergy with 3D numerical simulations. The shear induced by a surface convective zone has a strong impact on the dynamics of the underlying radiative zone in low-mass stars. But, it cannot produce a flat internal rotation profile in a solar configuration calling for additional processes for the transport of angular momentum in both radial and latitudinal directions.