Nonlinear evolution of magnetorotational instability in a magnetized Taylor-Couette flow: Scaling properties and relation to upcoming DRESDYN-MRI experiment
Ashish Mishra, G. Mamatsashvili, Frank Stefani
Abstract
Magnetorotational instability (MRI) is the most likely mechanism driving angular momentum transport in astrophysical disks. However, there is no conclusive experimental evidence for MRI, despite many attempts to find it. The planned DRESDYN-MRI experiments are a new effort which use a magnetized Taylor-Couette flow of liquid sodium that mimics an accretion disk. We numerically study the nonlinear evolution and saturation of MRI and analyze its scaling behavior for the DRESDYN-MRI device. The obtained scaling laws with Reynolds number, yielding the magnitudes of velocity and magnetic field perturbations expected in these experiments, will be crucial for identifying MRI in the laboratory.
Topics & Concepts
Magnetorotational instabilityPhysicsTaylor–Couette flowScalingNonlinear systemMechanicsMagnetic fieldAccretion (finance)Reynolds numberAngular momentumInstabilityFlow (mathematics)MagnetohydrodynamicsCouette flowClassical mechanicsAstrophysicsTurbulenceMathematicsGeometryQuantum mechanicsAstrophysics and Star Formation StudiesAstro and Planetary ScienceStellar, planetary, and galactic studies