Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2001-04-11
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
19 pages, 7 figures. Submitted to J. Fluid Mech
Scientific paper
10.1017/S0022112002008704
Global axisymmetric stability of viscous, resistive, magnetized Couette flow is re-examined, with the emphasis on flows that would be hydrodynamically stable according to Rayleigh's criterion: opposing gradients of angular velocity and specific angular momentum. In this regime, magnetorotational instabilities [MRI] may occur. Previous work has focused on the Rayleigh-unstable regime. To prepare for an experimental study of MRI, which are of intense astrophysical interest, we solve for global linear modes in a wide gap with realistic dissipation coefficients. Exchange of stability appears to occur through marginal modes. Velocity eigenfunctions of marginal modes are nearly singular at conducting boundaries, but magnetic eigenfunctions are smooth and obey a fourth-order differential equation in the inviscid limit. The viscous marginal system is of tenth order; an eighth-order approximation previously used for Rayleigh-unstable modes does not permit MRI. Peak growth rates are insensitive to boundary conditions. They are predicted with surprising accuracy by WKB methods even for the largest-scale mode. We conclude that MRI is achievable under plausible experimental conditions using easy-to-handle liquid metals such as gallium.
Goodman Jeremy
Ji Hantao
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