Saturation of MRI via parasitic modes

Details Saturation of MRI via parasitic modes Saturation of MRI via parasitic modes

Jun 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011iaus..274..449p&link_type=abstract

Advances in Plasma Astrophysics, Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, IAU Symposium, Volume 274, p. 449-452

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Accretion, Accretion Disks, Magnetohydrodynamics, Instabilities, Turbulence

Scientific paper

Understanding the physical mechanisms that play a role in the saturation of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) has been an outstanding problem in accretion physics since the early 90's. Here, we present the summary of a study of the parasitic modes that feed off exact viscous, resistive MRI modes. We focus on the situation in which the amplitude of the magnetic field produced by the MRI is such that the instantaneous growth rate of the fastest parasitic mode matches that of the fastest MRI mode. We argue that this "saturation" amplitude provides an estimate of the magnetic field that can be generated by the MRI before the secondary instabilities suppress its growth significantly. We show that there exist two regimes, delimited by a critical Elsasser number of order unity, in which saturation is achieved via secondary instabilities that correspond to either Kelvin-Helmholtz or tearing modes.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Saturation of MRI via parasitic modes does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Saturation of MRI via parasitic modes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Saturation of MRI via parasitic modes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-918142