Transition from 2D HD to 2D MHD turbulence

Abstract

We investigate the critical transition from an inverse cascade of energy to a forward energy cascade in a two-dimensional magneto-hydrodynamic flow as the ratio of magnetic to mechanical forcing amplitude is varied. It is found that the critical transition is the result of two competing processes. The first process is due to hydrodynamic interactions, cascades the energy to the large scales. The second process couples small scale magnetic fields to large scale flows transferring the energy back to the small scales via a non-local mechanism. At marginality the two cascades are both present and cancel each other. The phase space diagram of the transition is sketched.