Self-Exciting Fluid Dynamos

Treats the origin of magnetic fields in planets, stars and galaxies, and the manner of their evolution over time.

Keith Moffatt (Author), Emmanuel Dormy (Author)

9781108717052, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 25 April 2019

536 pages, 215 b/w illus. 30 colour illus. 5 tables
24.8 x 17.4 x 2.5 cm, 1.08 kg

Exploring the origins and evolution of magnetic fields in planets, stars and galaxies, this book gives a basic introduction to magnetohydrodynamics and surveys the observational data, with particular focus on geomagnetism and solar magnetism. Pioneering laboratory experiments that seek to replicate particular aspects of fluid dynamo action are also described. The authors provide a complete treatment of laminar dynamo theory, and of the mean-field electrodynamics that incorporates the effects of random waves and turbulence. Both dynamo theory and its counterpart, the theory of magnetic relaxation, are covered. Topological constraints associated with conservation of magnetic helicity are thoroughly explored and major challenges are addressed in areas such as fast-dynamo theory, accretion-disc dynamo theory and the theory of magnetostrophic turbulence. The book is aimed at graduate-level students in mathematics, physics, Earth sciences and astrophysics, and will be a valuable resource for researchers at all levels.

Preface
Part I. Basic Theory and Observations: 1. Introduction
2. Magnetokinematic preliminaries
3. Advection, distortion and diffusion
4. The magnetic field of the Earth and planets
5. Astrophysical magnetic fields
Part II. Foundations of Dynamo Theory: 6. Laminar dynamo theory
7. Mean-field electrodynamics
8. Nearly axisymmetric dynamos
9. Solution of the mean-field equations
10. The fast dynamo
Part III. Dynamic Aspects of Dynamo Action: 11. Low-dimensional models of the geodynamo
12. Dynamic equilibration
13. The geodynamo: instabilities and bifurcations
14. Astrophysical dynamic models
15. Helical turbulence
16. Magnetic relaxation under topological constraints
17. Magnetic relaxation in a low-? plasma
Appendix. Orthogonal curvilinear coordinates
References
Author index
Subject index.

Subject Areas: Geophysics [PHVG], Astrophysics [PHVB], Plasma physics [PHFP], Fluid mechanics [PHDF], Astronomy, space & time [PG], Differential calculus & equations [PBKJ]