Numerical simulations of the Princeton magnetorotational instability experiment with conducting axial boundaries

Xing Wei, Hantao Ji, Jeremy Goodman, Fatima Ebrahimi, Erik Gilson, Frank Jenko, Karl Lackner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

We investigate numerically the Princeton magnetorotational instability (MRI) experiment and the effect of conducting axial boundaries or endcaps. MRI is identified and found to reach a much higher saturation than for insulating endcaps. This is probably due to stronger driving of the base flow by the magnetically rather than viscously coupled boundaries. Although the computations are necessarily limited to lower Reynolds numbers (Re) than their experimental counterparts, it appears that the saturation level becomes independent of Re when Re is sufficiently large, whereas it has been found previously to decrease roughly as Re-1/4 with insulating endcaps. The much higher saturation levels will allow for the positive detection of MRI beyond its theoretical and numerical predictions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number063107
JournalPhysical Review E
Volume94
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 16 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Statistics and Probability
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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