On the synchronizability of Tayler-Spruit and Babcock-Leighton type dynamos

Abstract

The solar cycle appears to be remarkably synchronized with the gravitational torques exerted by the tidally dominant planets Venus, Earth and Jupiter. Recently, a possible synchronization mechanism was proposed that relies on the intrinsic helicity oscillation of the current-driven Tayler instability which can be stoked by tidal-like perturbations with a period of 11.07 years. Inserted into a simple alpha-Omega dynamo model these resonantly excited helicity oscillations led to a 22.14 years dynamo cycle. Here, we assess various alternative mechanisms of synchronization. Specifically we study a simple time-delay model of Babcock-Leighton type dynamos and ask whether periodic changes of either the minimal amplitude for rising toroidal flux tubes or the Omega effect could eventually lead to synchronization. In contrast to the easy and robust synchronizability of Tayler-Spruit dynamo models, our answer for those Babcock-Leighton type models is less propitious.

21 pages, 11 figures

References in corpus (8)

• On magnetic instabilities and dynamo action in stellar radiation zones
• Empirical evidence for a celestial origin of the climate oscillations and its implications
• On the astronomical origin of the Hallstatt oscillation found in radiocarbon and climate records throughout the Holocene
• Understanding solar cycle variability
• The complex planetary synchronization structure of the solar system
• Breakdown of chiral symmetry during saturation of the Tayler instability
• Parity fluctuations in stellar dynamos
• Parametric instability in periodically perturbed dynamos

Cited by in corpus (10)

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• Solar and stellar activity cycles -- no synchronization with exoplanets
• Tidally Forced Planetary Waves in the Tachocline of Solar-like Stars
• A synchronized two-dimensional $\alpha -\Omega$ model of the solar dynamo
• Tidal excitation of autoresonant oscillations in stars with close-by planets
• Synchronizing the helicity of Rayleigh-Bénard convection by a tide-like electromagnetic forcing