Numerical studies of weak MHD turbulence
ORAL
Abstract
Results from numerical simulations of weak magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence in steady-state are presented, with resolutions as high as $1024^2\times256$ grid points. Weak turbulence refers to the limit of MHD turbulence in which the energy transfer toward smaller scales results from the weak interaction between Alfv\'en waves moving along of against a strong guide magnetic field. The energies of the Alfven waves moving in the opposite directions can be either equal, in which case the turbulence is called balanced, or unequal, in which case it is unbalanced. The numerical set up is optimized as to drive either balanced or unbalanced turbulent cascades. We obtain the spectra of Alfv\'en waves for various degrees of imbalance and Reynolds numbers. We discuss our results and compare with recent theories of weak MHD turbulence.
*This work was supported by the U.S. DOE under Grant No.~DE-FG02-07ER54932, by the NSF Center for Magnetic Self-Organization in Laboratory and Astrophysical Plasmas at the UW-Madison, and in part by the NSF under Grant No. NSF PHY0821899.
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