arXiv subjects

Kyle Augustson

Publications and source records attributed to Kyle Augustson.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

The solar dynamo begins near the surface

The Sun's magnetic dynamo cycle features a distinct pattern: a propagating region of sunspot emergence appears around 30 degrees latitude and vanishes near the equator every 11 years. Moreover, longitudinal flows called "torsional oscillations" closely shadow sunspot migration, undoubtedly sharing a common cause. Contrary to theories suggesting deep origins for these phenomena, helioseismology pinpoints low-latitude torsional oscillations to the Sun's outer 5-10%, the "Near-Surface Shear Layer". Within this zone, inwardly increasing differential rotation coupled with a poloidal magnetic field strongly implicates the Magneto-Rotational Instability prominent in accretion-disk theory and observed in laboratory experiments. Together, these two facts prompt the general question: Is it possible that the solar dynamo is a near-surface instability? Here, we report strong affirmative evidence in stark contrast to traditional paradigms focusing on the deeper tachocline. Simple analytic estimates show that the near-surface magneto-rotational instability better explains the spatiotemporal scales of the torsional oscillations and inferred subsurface magnetic field amplitudes. State-of-the-art numerical simulations corroborate these estimates and, strikingly, reproduce hemispherical magnetic current helicity laws. The dynamo resulting from a well-understood near-surface phenomenon improves prospects for accurate predictions of full magnetic cycles and space weather, impacting Earth's electromagnetic infrastructure.

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arXiv2022

How do tidal waves interact with convective vortices in rapidly-rotating planets and stars?

The dissipation of tidal inertial waves in planetary and stellar convective regions is one of the key mechanisms that drive the evolution of star-planet/planet-moon systems. In this context, the interaction between tidal inertial waves and turbulent convective flows must be modelled in a realistic and robust way. In the state-of-the-art simulations, the friction applied by convection on tidal waves is modelled most of the time by an effective eddy-viscosity. This approach may be valid when the characteristic length scales of convective eddies are smaller than those of tidal waves. However, it becomes highly questionable in the case where tidal waves interact with potentially stable large-scale vortices, as those observed at the pole of Jupiter and Saturn. They are potentially triggered by convection in rapidly-rotating bodies in which the Coriolis acceleration forms the flow in columnar vortical structures along the direction of the rotation axis. In this paper, we investigate the complex interactions between a tidal inertial wave and a columnar convective vortex. We use a quasi-geostrophic semi-analytical model of a convective columnar vortex. We perform linear stability analysis to identify the unstable regime and conduct linear numerical simulations for the interactions between the convective vortex and an incoming tidal inertial wave. We verify that in the unstable regime, an incoming tidal inertial wave triggers the most unstable mode of the vortex leading to turbulent dissipation. For stable vortices, the wave-vortex interaction leads to the momentum mixing while it creates a low-velocity region around the vortex core and a new wave-like perturbation in the form of a progressive wave radiating in the far field. The emission of this secondary wave is the strongest when the wavelength of the incoming wave is close to the characteristic size of the vortex.

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arXiv2020

Probing the internal magnetism of stars using asymptotic magneto-asteroseismology

Our knowledge of the dynamics of stars has undergone a revolution thanks to the simultaneous large amount of high-quality photometric observations collected by space-based asteroseismology and ground-based high-precision spectropolarimetry. They allowed us to probe the internal rotation of stars and their surface magnetism in the whole Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. However, new methods should still be developed to probe the deep magnetic fields in those stars. Our goal is to provide seismic diagnoses that allow us to sound the internal magnetism of stars. Here, we focus on asymptotic low-frequency gravity modes and high-frequency acoustic modes. Using a first-order perturbative theory, we derive magnetic splittings of their frequencies as explicit functions of stellar parameters. As in the case of rotation, we show how asymptotic gravity and acoustic modes can allow us to probe the different components of the magnetic field in the cavities where they propagate. This demonstrates again the high potential of using mixed-modes when this is possible.

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arXiv2018

Impact of general differential rotation on gravity waves in rapidly rotating stars

Differential rotation plays a key role in stellar evolution by triggering hydrodynamical instabilities and large-scale motions that induce transport of chemicals and angular momentum and by modifying the propagation and the frequency spectrum of gravito-inertial waves. It is thus crucial to investigate its effect on the propagation of gravity waves to build reliable seismic diagnostic tools, especially for fast rotating stars, where perturbative treatments of rotation fail. Generalising a previous work done in the case of uniform rotation, we derived a local dispersion relation for gravity waves in a differentially rotating star, taking the full effect of rotation (both Coriolis and centrifugal accelerations) into account. Then we modelled the propagation of axisymmetric waves as the propagation of rays. This allowed us to efficiently probe the properties of the waves in various regimes of differential rotation.

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arXiv2018

Penetration of Rotating Convection

A simplified model for stellar and planetary convection is derived for the magnitude of the rms velocity, degree of superadiabaticity, and characteristic length scale with Rossby number as well as with thermal and viscous diffusivities. Integrating the convection model into a linearization of the dynamics in the transition region between convectively unstable and stably-stratified region yields a Rossby number, diffusivity, and pressure scale height dependent convective penetration depth into the stable region. This may have important consequences for mixing along the evolution of rotating stars.

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arXiv2018

Perturbations of Stellar Oscillations: a General Magnetic Field

The purpose of this short paper is to give a summary of the derivation of a perturbative method to assess the impact of an arbitrary 3D magnetic field configuration, whose energy is everywhere small relative to the gravitational binding energy, on the form and value of the eigenfrequencies and eigenfunctions of stellar oscillations.

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arXiv2018

Waves in the radiative zones of rotating, magnetized stars

Asteroseismology has reached a level of accuracy that may allow us to detect the effect of a deep magnetic field on oscillation modes. We thus aim to develop an asymptotic theory for short-wavelength waves in radiative zones of rotating stars with a general magnetic field topology (toroidal and poloidal). A dispersion relation is derived for a uniformly rotating star with a low-amplitude, axisymmetric magnetic field. The parameter space of this model is explored with a Hamiltonian ray-tracing method. The features of the gravito-inertial waves modified by the magnetic field are studied with different magnetic topologies.

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arXiv2018

Asymptotic theory of gravity modes in rotating stars II. Impact of general differential rotation

Context. Differential rotation has a strong influence on stellar internal dynamics and evolution, notably by triggering hydrodynamical instabilities, by interacting with the magnetic field, and more generally by inducing transport of angular momentum and chemical elements. Moreover, it modifies the way waves propagate in stellar interiors and thus the frequency spectrum of these waves, the regions they probe, and the transport they generate. Aims. We investigate the impact of a general differential rotation (both in radius and latitude) on the propagation of axisymmetric gravito-inertial waves. Methods. We use a small-wavelength approximation to obtain a local dispersion relation for these waves. We then describe the propagation of waves thanks to a ray model that follows a Hamiltonian formalism. Finally, we numerically probe the properties of these gravito-inertial rays for different regimes of radial and latitudinal differential rotation. Results. We derive a local dispersion relation that includes the effect of a general differential rotation. Subsequently, considering a polytropic stellar model, we observe that differential rotation allows for a large variety of resonant cavities that can be probed by gravito-inertial waves. We identify that for some regimes of frequency and differential rotation, the properties of gravito-inertial rays are similar to those found in the uniformly rotating case. Furthermore, we also find new regimes specific to differential rotation, where the dynamics of rays is chaotic. Conclusions. As a consequence, we expect modes to follow the same trend. Some parts of oscillation spectra corresponding to regimes similar to those of the uniformly rotating case would exhibit regular patterns, while parts corresponding to the new regimes would be mostly constituted of chaotic modes with a spectrum rather characterised by a generic statistical distribution.

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arXiv2017

Dynamo Scaling Relationships

This paper provides a brief look at dynamo scaling relationships for the degree of equipartition between magnetic and kinetic energies. Two simple models are examined, where one that assumes magnetostrophy and another that includes the effects of inertia. These models are then compared to a suite of convective dynamo simulations of the convective core of a main-sequence B-type star and applied to its later evolutionary stages.

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arXiv2017

Dynamos and Differential Rotation: Advances at the Crossroads of Analytics, Numerics, and Observations

The recent observational, theoretical, and numerical progress made in understanding stellar magnetism is discussed. Particularly, this review will cover the physical processes thought to be at the origin of these magnetic fields and their variability, namely dynamo action arising from the interaction between convection, rotation, radiation and magnetic fields. Some care will be taken to cover recent analytical advances regarding the dynamics and magnetism of radiative interiors, including some thoughts on the role of a tachocline. Moreover, recent and rapidly advancing numerical modeling of convective dynamos will be discussed, looking at rapidly rotating convective systems, grand minima and scaling laws for magnetic field strength. These topics are linked to observations or their observational implications.

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arXiv2017

Simple Scaling Relationships for Stellar Dynamos

This paper provides a brief overview of dynamo scaling relationships for the degree of equipartition between magnetic and kinetic energies. Three basic approaches are adopted to explore these scaling relationships, with a first look at two simple models: one assuming magnetostrophy and another that includes the effects of inertia. Next, a third scaling relationship is derived that utilizes the assumptions that the dynamo possesses two integral spatial scales and that it is driven by the balance of buoyancy work and ohmic dissipation as studied in Davidson 2013. The results of which are then compared to a suite of convective dynamo simulations that possess a fully convective domain with a weak density stratification and that captured the behavior of the resulting dynamo for a range of convective Rossby numbers (Augustson et al. 2016).

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arXiv2016

On the Stability of a General Magnetic Field Topology in Stellar Radiative Zones

This paper provides a brief overview of the formation of stellar fossil magnetic fields and what potential instabilities may occur given certain configurations of the magnetic field. In particular, a purely magnetic instability can occur for poloidal, toroidal, and mixed poloidal-toroidal axisymmetric magnetic field configurations as originally studied in Tayler (1973), Markey & Tayler (1973), and Tayler (1980). However, most of the magnetic field configurations observed at the surface of massive stars are non- axisymmetric. Thus, extending earlier studies of the axisymmetric Tayler instability in spherical geometry (Goossens, 1980), we introduce a formulation for the global change in the potential energy contained in a convectively-stable region given an arbitrary Lagrangian perturbation, which permits the inclusion of both axisymmetric and non-axisymmetric magnetic fields. With this tool in hand, a path is shown by which more general stability criterion can be established.

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arXiv2015

Convective Dynamo Simulation with a Grand Minimum

The global-scale dynamo action achieved in a simulation of a Sun-like star rotating at thrice the solar rate is assessed. The 3-D MHD Anelastic Spherical Harmonic (ASH) code, augmented with a viscosity minimization scheme, is employed to capture convection and dynamo processes in this G-type star. The simulation is carried out in a spherical shell that encompasses 3.8 density scale heights of the solar convection zone. It is found that dynamo action with a high degree of time variation occurs, with many periodic polarity reversals occurring roughly every 6.2 years. The magnetic energy also rises and falls with a regular period. The magnetic energy cycles arise from a Lorentz-force feedback on the differential rotation, whereas the processes leading to polarity reversals are more complex, appearing to arise from the interaction of convection with the mean toroidal fields. Moreover, an equatorial migration of toroidal field is found, which is linked to the changing differential rotation, and potentially to a nonlinear dynamo wave. This simulation also enters a grand minimum lasting roughly 20~years, after which the dynamo recovers its regular polarity cycles.

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arXiv2014

Grand Minima and Equatorward Propagation in a Cycling Stellar Convective Dynamo

The 3-D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Anelastic Spherical Harmonic (ASH) code, using slope-limited diffusion, is employed to capture convective and dynamo processes achieved in a global-scale stellar convection simulation for a model solar-mass star rotating at three times the solar rate. The dynamo generated magnetic fields possesses many time scales, with a prominent polarity cycle occurring roughly every 6.2 years. The magnetic field forms large-scale toroidal wreaths, whose formation is tied to the low Rossby number of the convection in this simulation. The polarity reversals are linked to the weakened differential rotation and a resistive collapse of the large-scale magnetic field. An equatorial migration of the magnetic field is seen, which is due to the strong modulation of the differential rotation rather than a dynamo wave. A poleward migration of magnetic flux from the equator eventually leads to the reversal of the polarity of the high-latitude magnetic field. This simulation also enters an interval with reduced magnetic energy at low latitudes lasting roughly 16 years (about 2.5 polarity cycles), during which the polarity cycles are disrupted and after which the dynamo recovers its regular polarity cycles. An analysis of this grand minimum reveals that it likely arises through the interplay of symmetric and antisymmetric dynamo families. This intermittent dynamo state potentially results from the simulations relatively low magnetic Prandtl number. A mean-field-based analysis of this dynamo simulation demonstrates that it is of the $\alpha$-$\Omega$ type. The time scales that appear to be relevant to the magnetic polarity reversal are also identified.

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arXiv2013

Cycling Dynamo in a Young Sun: Grand Minima and Equatorward Propagation

We assess the global-scale dynamo action achieved in a simulation of a sun-like star rotating at three times the solar rate. The 3-D MHD Anelastic Spherical Harmonic code, using slope-limited diffusion, is employed to capture convection and dynamo processes in such a young sun. The simulation is carried out in a spherical shell that encompasses 3.8 density scale heights of the solar convection zone. We find that dynamo action with a high degree of time variation occurs, with many periodic polarity reversals every 6.2 years. The magnetic energy also rises and falls with a regular period, with two magnetic energy cycles required to complete a polarity cycle. These magnetic energy cycles arise from a Lorentz-force feedback on the differential rotation, whereas the polarity reversals are present due to the spatial separation of the equatorial and polar dynamos. Moreover, an equatorial migration of toroidal field is found, which is linked to the changing differential rotation and to a near-surface shear layer. This simulation also enters a grand minimum lasting roughly 20 years, after which the dynamo recovers its regular polarity cycles.

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arXiv2012

Effects of Granulation upon Larger-Scale Convection

We examine the role of small-scale granulation in helping to drive supergranulation and even larger scales of convection. The granulation is modeled as localized cooling events introduced at the upper boundary of a 3-D simulation of compressible convection in a rotating spherical shell segment. With a sufficient number of stochastic cooling events compared to uniform cooling, we find that supergranular scales are realized, along with a differential rotation that becomes increasingly solar-like.

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arXiv2010

Modeling the Near-Surface Shear Layer: Diffusion Schemes Studied With CSS

As we approach solar convection simulations that seek to model the interaction of small-scale granulation and supergranulation and even larger scales of convection within the near-surface shear layer (NSSL), the treatment of the boundary conditions and minimization of sub-grid scale diffusive processes become increasingly crucial. We here assess changes in the dynamics and the energy flux balance of the flows established in rotating spherical shell segments that capture much of the NSSL with the Curved Spherical Segment (CSS) code using two different diffusion schemes. The CSS code is a new massively parallel modeling tool capable of simulating 3-D compressible MHD convection with a realistic solar stratification in rotating spherical shell segments.

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