New observational limits on dynamo saturation in young solar-type stars

Abstract

We present statistically robust observational evidence which imposes new limits on dynamo saturation in young solar-type stars. These are inferred from the increasing amplitude of the V-band optical flux with rotation, caused by the filling of the disc with surface spots in a non-axisymmetric pattern. Assuming spot coverage acts as a tracer of the total magnetic surface flux we find that the magnetic activity saturates at a level at least 6 -- 10 times greater than that inferred from chromospheric and transition line indicators. We suggest that these new limits imply a minimum rotation for saturation of the dynamo and that for high rotation rates starspot coverage acts as an alternative diagnostic for the stellar dynamo to the chromospheric and transition region line emission fluxes. The fact that the dynamo does not appear to saturate at the low rotation rates indicated by chromospheric indicators should assist evolutionary braking models that have to explain the sudden spin-down of young fast rotating G-dwarfs. ( + 3 figures, available on request) To appear in Astronomy and Astrophysics (A&A latex style file, laa.sty, included at beginning of file)