Mach number dependence of the onset of dynamo action

Abstract

The effect of compressibility on the onset of nonhelical turbulent dynamo action is investigated using both direct simulations as well as simulations with shock-capturing viscosities, keeping however the regular magnetic diffusivity. It is found that the critical magnetic Reynolds number increases from about 35 in the subsonic regime to about 70 in the supersonic regime. In the high resolution direct simulations the shock structures are much sharper than in the low resolution shock-capturing simulations. Nevertheless, the magnetic field looks roughly similar in both cases and does not show shock structures. Similarly, the onset of dynamo action is not significantly affected by the shock-capturing viscosity.