New spectral methods for fluid dynamical applications on the sphere
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: School of Earth and Environment
Abstract
Simulations of many large-scale geophysical systems, such as climate, mantle convection and magnetic field generation in the core require computations in a spherical geometry. Traditional computer models are relatively slow because the spatial dependence of relevant physical variables (e.g. temperature) at fixed radius are represented by somewhat complicated mathematical functions, the so-called 'spherical harmonics'. A new, simpler representation has been found in a new coordinate system and this work is concerned with exploiting this representation in the development of new computationally efficient methods for simulating these systems in a spherical geometry
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Gregory Houseman (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Livermore P
(2006)
Transient magnetic energy growth in spherical stationary flows
in Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Description | Dominance of axi-symmetric field growth is robust under small flow perturbations and can be understood by simple physical mechanisms: either field line shearing or stretching. The core dynamo system thus can evolve from a principally non-magnetic state into one where the magnetic field plays a significant role in the dynamics. |
Exploitation Route | research on magnetic dynamo and field generation is actively continuing |
Sectors | Environment |
Description | The results of this research have been applied to the study of magnetic field generation in the Earth's core dynamo. |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Energy |
Impact Types | Cultural |