The need for active region disconnection in 3D kinematic dynamo simulations

In this paper we address a discrepancy between the surface flux evolution in a 3D kinematic dynamo model and a 2D surface flux transport model that has been closely calibrated to the real Sun. We demonstrate that the difference is due to the connectivity of active regions to the toroidal field at th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2019-07
Main Authors: Whitbread, T, Yeates, A R, Muñoz-Jaramillo, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computer simulation
Diffusivity
Dynamo theory
Evolution
Kinematics
Magnetic flux
Solar cycle
Three dimensional models
Two dimensional models
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Summary:In this paper we address a discrepancy between the surface flux evolution in a 3D kinematic dynamo model and a 2D surface flux transport model that has been closely calibrated to the real Sun. We demonstrate that the difference is due to the connectivity of active regions to the toroidal field at the base of the convection zone, which is not accounted for in the surface-only model. Initially, we consider the decay of a single active region, firstly in a simplified Cartesian 2D model and subsequently the full 3D model. By varying the turbulent diffusivity profile in the convection zone, we find that increasing the diffusivity - so that active regions are more rapidly disconnected from the base of the convection zone - improves the evolution of the surface field. However, if we simulate a full solar cycle, we find that the dynamo is unable to sustain itself under such an enhanced diffusivity. This suggests that in order to accurately model the solar cycle, we must find an alternative way to disconnect emerging active regions, whilst conserving magnetic flux.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.1907.02762