Two-dimensional disk dynamos with vertical outflows into a halo

Abstract

We study the effects of vertical outflows on mean-field dynamos in disks. These outflows could be due to thermal winds or magnetic buoyancy. We analyse numerical solutions of the nonlinear mean-field dynamo equations using a two-dimensional finite-difference model. Contrary to expectations, a modest vertical velocity can enhance dynamo action. This can lead to super-exponential growth of the magnetic field and to higher magnetic energies at saturation in the nonlinear regime.

8 pages, 13 figures