Abstract
Using mean-field theory, we compute the evolution of the magnetic field in a cylinder with outer perfectly conducting boundaries and imposed axial magnetic and electric fields. The thus injected magnetic helicity in the system can be redistributed by magnetic helicity fluxes down the gradient of the local current helicity of the small-scale magnetic field. A weak reversal of the axial magnetic field is found to be a consequence of the magnetic helicity flux in the system. Such fluxes are known to alleviate so-called catastrophic quenching of the α effect in astrophysical applications. A stronger field reversal can be obtained if there is also a significant kinetic α effect. Application to the reversed field pinch in plasma confinement devices is discussed.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 056407 |
Journal | Physical Review E - Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics |
Volume | 84 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 21 2011 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
- Statistics and Probability