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Flux-transport and mean-field dynamo theories of solar cycles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 July 2013

Arnab Rai Choudhuri
Arnab Rai Choudhuri*
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012 email: arnab@physics.iisc.ernet.in
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Abstract

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We point out the difficulties in carrying out direct numerical simulation of the solar dynamo problem and argue that kinematic mean-field models are our best theoretical tools at present for explaining various aspects of the solar cycle in detail. The most promising kinematic mean-field model is the flux transport dynamo model, in which the toroidal field is produced by differential rotation in the tachocline, the poloidal field is produced by the Babcock–Leighton mechanism at the solar surface and the meridional circulation plays a crucial role. Depending on whether the diffusivity is high or low, either the diffusivity or the meridional circulation provides the main transport mechanism for the poloidal field to reach the bottom of the convection zone from the top. We point out that the high-diffusivity flux transport dynamo model is consistent with various aspects of observational data. The irregularities of the solar cycle are primarily produced by fluctuations in the Babcock–Leighton mechanism and in the meridional circulation. We summarize recent work on the fluctuations of meridional circulation in the flux transport dynamo, leading to explanations of such things as the Waldmeier effect.

Keywords

Sun: activitySun: dynamosunspots
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 8 , Symposium S294: Solar and Astrophysical Dynamos and Magnetic Activity , August 2012 , pp. 37 - 47
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2013 

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