arXiv subjects

S. M. Tobias

Publications and source records attributed to S. M. Tobias.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2024

Direct Statistical Simulation Using Generalised Cumulant Expansions

In recent years, the Generalised Quasilinear (GQL) approximation has been developed and its efficacy tested against purely quasilinear (QL) approximations. GQL systematically interpolates between QL and fully non-linear dynamics by employing a generalised Reynolds decomposition. Here, we examine an exact statistical closure for the GQL equations on the doubly periodic $β$-plane. Closure is achieved at second order using a generalised cumulant approach which we term GCE2. GCE2 is shown to yield improved performance over statistical representations of purely QL dynamics (CE2) and thus enables Direct Statistical Simulation (DSS) of complex mean flows that do not entirely fall within the remit of pure QL theory. Despite the existence of an exact closure, GCE2 like CE2 admits the possibility of a rank instability that leads to differences with statistics obtained from GQL. Recognition of this instability is a necessary step before further progress can be made with the GCE2 statistical closure.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2024

Non-equivalence of quasilinear dynamical systems and their statistical closures

It is widely believed that statistical closure theories for dynamical systems provide statistics equivalent to those of the governing dynamical equations from which the former are derived. Here, we demonstrate counterexamples in the context of the widely used mean-field quasilinear (QL) approximation applied to 2D fluid dynamical systems. We compare statistics of QL numerical simulations with those obtained by direct statistical simulation via a cumulant expansion closed at second order (CE2). We observe that, though CE2 is an exact statistical closure for QL dynamics, its predictions disagree with the statistics of the QL solution for identical parameter values. These disagreements are attributed to instabilities, which we term rank instabilities, of the second cumulant dynamics within CE2 that are unavailable in the QL equations.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2022

Waves in planetary dynamos

This Special Topic focuses on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) processes in deep interiors of planets, in which their fluid dynamos are in operation. The dynamo-generated, global, magnetic fields provide a background for our solar-terrestrial environment. Probing the processes within the dynamos is a significant theoretical and computational challenge and any window into interior dynamics greatly increases our understanding. Such a window is provided by exploring rapid dynamics, particularly MHD waves about the dynamo-defined basic state. This field is the subject of current attention as geophysical observations and numerical modellings advance. We give here particular attention to torsional Alfvén waves/oscillations and magnetic Rossby waves, which may be regarded as typical axisymmetric and nonaxisymmetric modes, respectively, amongst a wide variety of wave classes of the rapidly-rotating MHD fluids. The excitation of those waves is being evidenced for the geodynamo, whilst also being suggested for Jupiter. We shall overview their dynamics, summarise our current understanding, and give open questions for future perspectives.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2022

Recent Developments in Theories of Inhomogeneous and Anisotropic Turbulence

Understanding inhomogeneous and anisotropic fluid flows require mathematical and computational tools that are tailored to such flows and distinct from methods used to understand the canonical problem of homogeneous and isotropic turbulence. We review some recent developments in the theory of inhomogeneous and anisotropic turbulence, placing special emphasis on several kinds of quasilinear approximations and their corresponding statistical formulations. Aspects of quasilinear theory that have received insufficient attention in the literature are discussed, and open questions are framed.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2022

Direct Statistical Simulation of the Busse Annulus

We consider direct statistical simulation (DSS) of a paradigm system of convection interacting with mean flows. In the Busse Annulus model zonal jets are generated through the interaction of convectively driven turbulence and rotation; non-trivial dynamics including the emergence of multiple jets and bursting `predator-prey' type dynamics can be found. We formulate the DSS by expanding around the mean flow in terms of equal-time cumulants and arrive at a closed set of equations of motion for the cumulants. Here, we present results using an expansion terminated at the second cumulant (CE2); it is fundamentally a quasi-linear theory. We focus on particular cases including bursting and bistable multiple jets and demonstrate that CE2 can reproduce the results of direct numerical simulation if particular attention is given to symmetry considerations.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2020

Exoplanets and the Sun

We review the recent progress in understanding the jet structures on exoplanets as well as on and inside the Sun. The emphasis is on the more robust aspects of observation and numerical modeling that relate directly to jets. For the exoplanets, the primary focus is on hot-Jupiters since many more observations are available for them presently than other types of exoplanets. Because not much is known about the morphology and strength of the jets on exoplanets, there is currently not much agreement. In contrast, the picture is very different for the Sun. In fact, the jet structure of the Sun is arguably one of the best known jet structures of all the planets and stars, due to the fact that Sun's disk is resolved and its interior can be probed with helioseismology. A discussion of several critical issues pertaining to the modeling of jets on exoplanets and the Sun is presented, along with a brief outlook on the subject.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2020

Solitary magnetostrophic Rossby waves in spherical shells

Finite-amplitude hydromagnetic Rossby waves in the magnetostrophic regime are studied. We consider the slow mode, which travels in the opposite direction to the hydrodynamic or fast mode, in the presence of a toroidal magnetic field and zonal flow by means of quasi-geostrophic models for thick spherical shells. The weakly-nonlinear, long waves are derived asymptotically using a reductive perturbation method. The problem at the first order is found to obey a second-order ODE, leading to a hypergeometric equation for a Malkus field and a confluent Heun equation for an electrical-wire field, and is nonsingular when the wave speed approaches the mean flow. Investigating its neutral, nonsingular eigensolutions for different basic states, we find the evolution is described by the Korteweg-de Vries equation. This implies that the nonlinear slow wave forms solitons and solitary waves. These may take the form of a coherent eddy, such as a single anticyclone. We speculate on the relation of the anti-cyclone to the asymmetric gyre seen in Earth's fluid core, and in state-of-the-art dynamo DNS.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2020

Dimensional Reduction of Direct Statistical Simulation

Direct Statistical Simulation (DSS) solves the equations of motion for the statistics of turbulent flows in place of the traditional route of accumulating statistics by Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS). That low-order statistics usually evolve slowly compared with instantaneous dynamics is one important advantage of DSS. Depending on the symmetry of the problem and the choice of averaging operation, however, DSS is usually more expensive computationally than DNS because even low order statistics typically have higher dimension than the underlying fields. Here we show that it is possible to go much further by using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) to address the "curse of dimensionality." We apply POD directly to DSS in the form of expansions in the equal-time cumulants to second order (CE2). We explore two averaging operations (zonal and ensemble) and test the approach on two idealized barotropic models on a rotating sphere (a jet that relaxes deterministically towards an unstable profile, and a stochastically-driven flow that spontaneously organizes into jets). Order-of-magnitude savings in computational cost are obtained in the reduced basis, potentially enabling access to parameter regimes beyond the reach of DNS.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2019

Joint Instability and Abrupt Nonlinear Transitions in a Differentially Rotating Plasma

Global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities are investigated in a computationally tractable two-dimensional model of the solar tachocline. The model's differential rotation yields stability in the absence of a magnetic field, but if a magnetic field is present, a joint instability is observed. We analyze the nonlinear development of the instability via fully nonlinear direct numerical simulation, the generalized quasilinear approximation (GQL), and direct statistical simulation (DSS) based upon low-order expansion in equal-time cumulants. As the magnetic diffusivity is decreased, the nonlinear development of the instability becomes more complicated until eventually a set of parameters are identified that produce a previously unidentified long-term cycle in which energy is transformed from kinetic energy to magnetic energy and back. We find that the periodic transitions, which mimic some aspects of solar variability -- for example, the quasiperiodic seasonal exchange of energy between toroidal field and waves or eddies -- are unable to be reproduced when eddy-scattering processes are excluded from the model.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2018

Generalised Quasilinear Approximation of the Interaction of Convection and Mean Flows in a Thermal Annulus

In this paper we examine the interaction of convection, rotation and mean flows in a thermal annulus. In this system mean flows are driven by correlations induced by rotation leading to non-trivial Reynolds stresses. The mean flows act back on the convective turbulence acting as a barrier to transport. For this system we demonstrate that the Generalised Quasilinear Approximation (GQL) (Marston et al 2016) may provide a much better approximation to the complicated full nonlinear dynamics than the widely used Quasilinear Approximation (QL). This result will enable the construction of more accurate statistical theories for the description of geophysical and astrophysical flows.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2018

Breaking Kelvin: Circulation conservation and vortex breakup in MHD at low Magnetic Prandtl Number

In this paper we examine the role of weak magnetic fields in breaking Kelvin's circulation theorem and in vortex breakup in two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamics for the physically important case of a low magnetic Prandtl number (low $Pm$) fluid. We consider three canonical inviscid solutions for the purely hydrodynamical problem, namely a Gaussian vortex, a circular vortex patch and an elliptical vortex patch. We examine how magnetic fields lead to an initial loss of circulation $Γ$ and attempt to derive scaling laws for the loss of circulation as a function of field strength and diffusion as measured by two non-dimensional parameters. We show that for all cases the loss of circulation depends on the integrated effects of the Lorentz force, with the patch cases leading to significantly greater circulation loss. For the case of the elliptical vortex the loss of circulation depends on the total area swept out by the rotating vortex and so this leads to more efficient circulation loss than for a circular vortex.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2018

Scale Selection in the Stratified Convection of the Solar Photosphere

We examine the role of stratification in determining the scale for turbulent anelastic convection. Motivated by the range of scales observed in convection at the solar photosphere, we perform local numerical simulations of convection for a range of density contrasts in large domains. We analyse both the Eulerian and Lagrangian statistics of the convection and demonstrate that increasing the stratification shifts the scale of the most energetic structures in the flow to smaller scales; furthermore, the relative amplitude of vertical to horizontal flows in the convection decreases with increasing stratification. We discuss the implications of our results to the issue of solar mesogranulation.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2016

Direct Statistical Simulation of a Jet

We review progress that has been made in utilizing one form of Direct Statistical Simulation (DSS) to describe geophysical and astrophysical flows that are anisotropic and inhomogeneous. We first explain the approach, which is based upon a systematic and conservative expansion of the equations of motion for low-order equal-time cumulants. We place the method into context with other statistical procedures. Truncation at second order in the hierarchy of cumulants is equivalent to retaining the interaction between zonal mean flows and eddies. Eddy-eddy interactions appear at higher orders, but care must be taken to keep the higher-order expansions realizable with non-negative probability distribution functions. The strengths and weaknesses of different levels of approximation are assessed with numerical experiments on the fiducial problem of a stochastically forced jet on a spherical surface. The results give an insight into the mechanisms that may control jet spacing and strength, and indicate interesting avenues for future research.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2016

The Generalized Quasilinear Approximation: Application to Zonal Jets

Quasilinear theory is often utilized to approximate the dynamics of fluids exhibiting significant interactions between mean flows and eddies. In this paper we present a generalization of quasilinear theory to include dynamic mode interactions on the large scales. This generalized quasilinear (GQL) approximation is achieved by separating the state variables into large and small zonal scales via a spectral filter rather than by a decomposition into a formal mean and fluctuations. Nonlinear interactions involving only small zonal scales are then removed. The approximation is conservative and allows for scattering of energy between small-scale modes via the large scale (through non-local spectral interactions). We evaluate GQL for the paradigmatic problems of the driving of large-scale jets on a spherical surface and on the beta-plane and show that it is accurate even for a small number of large-scale modes. As this approximation is formally linear in the small zonal scales it allows for the closure of the system and can be utilized in direct statistical simulation schemes that have proved an attractive alternative to direct numerical simulation for many geophysical and astrophysical problems.

physics.flu-dyn↗

arXiv2011

Skew-Varicose Instability in Two Dimensional Generalized Swift-Hohenberg Equations

We apply analytical and numerical methods to study the linear stability of stripe patterns in two generalizations of the two-dimensional Swift-Hohenberg equation that include coupling to a mean flow. A projection operator is included in our models to allow exact stripe solutions. In the generalized models, stripes become unstable to the skew-varicose, oscillatory skew-varicose and cross-roll instabilities, in addition to the usual Eckhaus and zigzag instabilities. We analytically derive stability boundaries for the skew-varicose instability in various cases, including several asymptotic limits. We also use numerical techniques to determine eigenvalues and hence stability boundaries of other instabilities. We extend our analysis to both stress-free and no-slip boundary conditions and we note a cross over from the behaviour characteristic of no-slip to that of stress-free boundaries as the coupling to the mean flow increases or as the Prandtl number decreases. Close to the critical value of the bifurcation parameter, the skew varicose instability has the same curvature as the Eckhaus instability provided the coupling to the mean flow is greater than a critical value. The region of stable stripes is completely eliminated by the cross-roll instability for large coupling to the mean flow.

math.DS↗

arXiv2010

Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics via Direct Statistical Simulation

In this paper we introduce the concept of Direct Statistical Simulation (DSS) for astrophysical flows. This technique may be appropriate for problems in astrophysical fluids where the instantaneous dynamics of the flows are of secondary importance to their statistical properties. We give examples of such problems including mixing and transport in planets, stars and disks. The method is described for a general set of evolution equations, before we consider the specific case of a spectral method optimised for problems on a spherical surface. The method is illustrated for the simplest non-trivial example of hydrodynamics and MHD on a rotating spherical surface. We then discuss possible extensions of the method both in terms of computational methods and the range of astrophysical problems that are of interest.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

The effects of flux transport on interface dynamos

The operation of an interface dynamo (as has been suggested for the Sun and other stars with convective envelopes) relies crucially upon the effective transport of magnetic flux between two spatially disjoint generation regions. In the simplest models communication between the two regions is achieved solely by diffusion. Here we incorporate a highly simplified anisotropic transport mechanism in order to model the net effect of flux conveyance by magnetic pumping and by magnetic buoyancy. We investigate the influence of this mechanism on the efficiency of kinematic dynamo action. It is found that the effect of flux transport on the efficiency of the dynamo is dependent upon the spatial profile of the transport. Typically, transport hinders the onset of dynamo action and increases the frequency of the dynamo waves. However, in certain cases there exists a preferred magnitude of transport for which dynamo action is most efficient. Furthermore, we demonstrate the importance of the imposition of boundary conditions in drawing conclusions on the role of transport.

astro-ph↗