Turbulent transport coefficients and residual energy in mean-field dynamo theory

Abstract

The turbulent electromotive force in the mean-field equation needs to be modeled to predict a large-scale magnetic field in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence at high Reynolds number. Using a statistical theory for inhomogeneous turbulence, model expressions for transport coefficients appearing in the turbulent electromotive force are derived including the α coefficient and the turbulent diffusivity. In particular, as one of the dynamo effects, the pumping effect is investigated and a model expression for the pumping term is obtained. It is shown that the pumping velocity is closely related to the gradient of the turbulent residual energy, or the difference between the turbulent kinetic and magnetic energies. The production terms in the transport equation for the turbulent electromotive force are also examined and the validity of the model expression is assessed by comparing with earlier results concerning the isotropic α coefficient. The mean magnetic field in a rotating spherical shell is calculated using a turbulence model to demonstrate the pumping effect.