The strong-field regime of the geodynamo
Lead Research Organisation:
Newcastle University
Department Name: Sch of Maths, Statistics and Physics
Abstract
The main aim for this PhD project is to develop a better understanding of the dynamo process in planetary cores, and study the influence of key parameters such as the planet rotation rate and the convective driving. In particular we will study the strong-field regime through the use of an imposed magnetic field. After achieving this, we can remove the imposed field and see whether the dynamo process is able to operate without it, thus creating a model which produces a magnetic field in the same way as many planets. To summarize, our goals for this project are:
1. Determine the conditions in which a magnetic field yields strong enough magnetic forces to affect the dynamics of a magnetoconvective flow.
2. Produce a strong-field regime in a self-excited dynamo process after producing the same regime through magnetoconvection.
3. Extrapolate these results to planetary core conditions
1. Determine the conditions in which a magnetic field yields strong enough magnetic forces to affect the dynamics of a magnetoconvective flow.
2. Produce a strong-field regime in a self-excited dynamo process after producing the same regime through magnetoconvection.
3. Extrapolate these results to planetary core conditions
Organisations
Publications
Mason SJ
Magnetoconvection in a rotating spherical shell in the presence of a uniform axial magnetic field
in Geophysical and Astrophysical Fluid Dynamics
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ST/S505596/1 | 01/10/2018 | 30/09/2022 | |||
| 2182079 | Studentship | ST/S505596/1 | 01/10/2018 | 28/02/2022 | Stephen Mason |
| Description | We have learned about the effects of an imposed axial magnetic field on a convective flow in a rotating spherical shell. |
| Exploitation Route | The system we have studied is similar to that of real-life satellite bodies (such as Jupiter's moons) and has been understudied in the past (compared to a toroidal imposed field). The parameters could be varied further in the future with the aim of producing results that match observational models. |
| Sectors | Education,Other |
| Description | Eiffel scholarship |
| Amount | € 8,400 (EUR) |
| Organisation | Campus France |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | France |
| Start | 10/2019 |
| Description | UKRI Phase 2 Doctoral Extension Funding Scheme |
| Amount | £2,600 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Newcastle University |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 06/2022 |
| End | 07/2022 |
| Title | Poloidal imposed field output quantity dataset |
| Description | Summary of the input and output quantities for the simulations of rotating spherical convection with an imposed poloidal magnetic field at Ek = 10^(-5) and Pr = Pm = 1, with varying Ra. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2022 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Able to compare with previous studies with different types of imposed field or non-magnetoconvective studies to see the effects of a poloidal imposed field. |
| Description | UKMHD conference talk |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presented research results at online international conference to specialist audience. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |