The role of the helicity spectrum function in turbulent dynamo theory

Abstract

Abstract It is shown that, for general homogeneous turbulence, the anti-symmetric part of the spectrum tensor can be expressed in terms of a single scalar function H(k,ω) (the helicity spectrum function). Under the first-order smoothing approximation, the coefficients α ij β ijk in the expansion of the mean electromotive force in terms of the mean magnetic field are determined; α ij is a weighted integral of H(k,ω), and β ijk contains a part β(a)ijk which is likewise a weighted integral of H(k, ω). When the turbulence is axisymmetric, β(a)ijk contains Rädler's (1969a) “Ω ∧ J-effect”. It is shown that when the turbulence is statistically symmetric about a plane perpendicular to the axis of symmetry, then βij = O but the Rädler effect is non-zero. Explicit expressions for αij and βijk are given when the velocity field is generated by random forcing in a rotating medium. Finally, it is shown by means of a local analysis that the Rädler effect, in conjunction with uniform mean shear, can give rise to non-oscillatory dynamo action, and it is argued that this effect may be significant in the well-mixed interior of a stellar convection zone, where by symmetry the α-effect may be weak.