MHD turbulence in accretion disks: The importance of the magnetic Prandtl number

S. Fromang, J. Papaloizou, G. Lesur, T. Heinemann

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

The magnetorotational instability (MRI) is the most likely source of MHD turbulence in accretion disks. Recently, it has been realized that microscopic diffusion coefficients (viscosity and resistivity) are important in determining the saturated state of the turbulence and thereby the rate of angular momentum transport. In this paper, we use a set of numerical simulations performed with a variety of numerical methods to investigate the dependance of α, the rate of angular momentum transport, on these coefficients. We show that α is an increasing function of the magnetic Prandtl number Pm, the ratio of viscosity over resistivity. In the absence of a mean field, we also find that MRI-induced MHD turbulence decays at low Pm.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPhysics and Astrophysics of Planetary Systems
Pages167-170
Number of pages4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2010
Externally publishedYes
EventPhysics and Astrophysics of Planetary Systems - Chamonix, France
Duration: 18 Feb 200829 Feb 2008

Publication series

NameEAS Publications Series
Volume41
ISSN (Print)1633-4760
ISSN (Electronic)1638-1963

Conference

ConferencePhysics and Astrophysics of Planetary Systems
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityChamonix
Period18/02/0829/02/08

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