The Archontis strong-field MHD dynamo at low magnetic Prandtl number
by
Dave Galloway
School of Maths and Statistics, University of Sydney, NSW2006 Australia
Coauthors: David Lewis, School of Maths and Statistics, University of Sydney, NSW2006 Australia & Robert Cameron, Max-Planck-Institute for Solar System Research, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau, Germany

It has been speculated that astrophysical dynamos have problems operating when the ratio of viscous to magnetic diffusivities (known as the magnetic Prandtl number) is low, as in stars such as the Sun. This issue will be discussed for the special case of the Archontis dynamo, a fascinating toy model which features a periodic geometry, is a solution to the induction and momentum equations, includes the Lorentz force, and has velocity and magnetic fields which are almost equal when expressed in Alfvénic units.

Date received: December 8, 2009