Magnetic field generation by convective flows in a plane layer

Hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic convective attractors in a plane horizontal layer 0≤z≤1 are investigated numerically. We consider Rayleigh-Bénard convection in Boussinesq approximation assuming stress-free boundary conditions on horizontal boundaries and periodicity with the same period L in the x and y directions. Computations have been performed for the Prandtl number P=1 for <InlineEquation ID="Equ1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$L=2\sqrt2$</EquationSource> </InlineEquation> and Rayleigh numbers 0>R≤4000, and for L=4, 0>R≤2000. Fifteen different types of hydrodynamic attractors are found, including two types of steady states distinct from rolls, travelling waves, periodic and quasiperiodic flows, and chaotic attractors of heteroclinic nature. Kinematic dynamo problem has been solved for the computed convective attractors. Out of the 15 types of the observed attractors only 6 can act as kinematic dynamos. Nonlinear magnetohydrodynamic regimes have been explored assuming as initial conditions convective attractors capable of magnetic field generation, and a small seed magnetic field. After initial exponential growth, in the saturated regime magnetic energy remains much smaller than the flow kinetic energy. The final magnetohydrodynamic attractors are either quasiperiodic or chaotic. Copyright EDP Sciences/Società Italiana di Fisica/Springer-Verlag 2006