English

Mean Field Dynamo Saturation: Toward Understanding Conflicting Results

Astrophysics 2007-05-23 v1

Abstract

Mean field dynamos may explain the origin of large scale magnetic fields of galaxies, but controversy arises over the extent of dynamo quenching by the growing field. Here we explain how apparently conflicting results may be mutually consistent, by showing the role of magnetic helicity conservation and boundary terms usually neglected. We estimate the associated magnetic energy flowing out of the Galaxy but emphasize that the mechanism of field escape needs to be addressed.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0009355,
  title  = {Mean Field Dynamo Saturation: Toward Understanding Conflicting Results},
  author = {Eric G. Blackman and George B. Field},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0009355},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

3 Pages LaTex, to appear in proceedings of the 24th IAU General Assembly, Joint Discussion 14 "The Origins of Galactic Magnetic Fields"