Abstract
The nonlinear theory of a “shear-current” effect in a nonrotating and nonhelical homogeneous turbulence with an imposed mean velocity shear is developed. The shear-current effect is associated with the [Formula presented] term in the mean electromotive force and causes the generation of the mean magnetic field even in a nonrotating and nonhelical homogeneous turbulence (where [Formula presented] is the mean vorticity and [Formula presented] is the mean electric current). It is found that there is no quenching of the nonlinear shear-current effect contrary to the quenching of the nonlinear [Formula presented] effect, the nonlinear turbulent magnetic diffusion, etc. During the nonlinear growth of the mean magnetic field, the shear-current effect only changes its sign at some value [Formula presented] of the mean magnetic field. The magnitude [Formula presented] determines the level of the saturated mean magnetic field which is less than the equipartition field. It is shown that the background magnetic fluctuations due to the small-scale dynamo enhance the shear-current effect and reduce the magnitude [Formula presented]. When the level of the background magnetic fluctuations is larger than [Formula presented] of the kinetic energy of the turbulence, the mean magnetic field can be generated due to the shear-current effect for an arbitrary exponent of the energy spectrum of the velocity fluctuations.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 15 |
Number of pages | 1 |
Journal | Physical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics |
Volume | 70 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 2004 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
- Statistics and Probability
- Condensed Matter Physics