Statistical properties of MHD turbulence and turbulent dynamo

Abstract

Statistical properties of MHD turbulence and the mechanism of turbulent dynamo are investigated by direct numerical simulations of three‐dimensional MHD equations. It is assumed that the turbulent field has a high symmetry and that the fluid has hyperviscosity and hypermagnetic diffusivity. An external force is exerted on the fluid as kinetic energy and helicity sources. The main concern of the present study is whether magnetic fields of scales comparable to the dominant fluid motions can be generated or not. It is shown that the turbulent dynamo is effective if hypermagnetic diffusivity is smaller than a critical value. The total energy spectrum is close to the k −5/3 power law in the inertial range. The energy transfer between kinetic and magnetic fields is discussed.