Manchester Applied Mathematics and Numerical Analysis SeminarsSpring 1999 |
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Mathematics Building, Oxford Road
The hydromagnetic dynamo is the main process which leads to magnetic field formation in cosmic media. However, until now all attempts to reproduce this process in a laboratory have been unsuccessful, because it requires a high magnetic Reynolds number R_m, i.e. very high flow velocities. Recently, a new form of a nonstationary dynamo experiment in a braked torus-shaped container has been suggested. This experiment provides the possibility of obtaining, for a few seconds, a helical flow of liquid sodium with magnetic Reynolds number R_m of up to 100. This value can be compared with the theoretical estimate for dynamo excitation of R_m_{crit}> 17. The first experimental results obtained in Perm, Russia with a water prototype of the experimental device are reported. We will discuss properties of exciting swirling turbulent flow (Reynolds number Re of order 10^6) in the context of the dynamo experiment that is under preparation.
For further info contact either Matthias Heil (mheil@ma.man.ac.uk), Mark Muldoon (M.Muldoon@umist.ac.uk)or the seminar secretary (Tel. 0161 275 5800).