P Tzeferacos, A Rigby, A F A Bott, A R Bell, R Bingham, A Casner, F Cattaneo, E M Churazov, J Emig, F Fiuza, C B Forest, J Foster, C Graziani, J Katz, M Koenig, C-K Li, J Meinecke, R Petrasso, H-S Park, B A Remington, J S Ross, D Ryu, D Ryutov, T G White, B Reville, F Miniati, A A Schekochihin, D Q Lamb, D H Froula, G Gregori
Magnetic fields are ubiquitous in the Universe. The energy density of these fields is typically comparable to the energy density of the fluid motions of the plasma in which they are embedded, making magnetic fields essential players in the dynamics of the luminous matter. The standard theoretical model for the origin of these strong magnetic fields is through the amplification of tiny seed fields via turbulent dynamo to the level consistent with current observations. However, experimental demonstration of the turbulent dynamo mechanism has remained elusive, since it requires plasma conditions that are extremely hard to re-create in terrestrial laboratories...
February 9, 2018: Nature Communications