New results on an equipartition dynamo

This contribution presents results from numerical computer experiments with a 3-d steady sine flow (with zero mean helicity) that drives fast dynamo action. The mode of operation of this so-called ``no-cosines" dynamo (recently dubbed ``the Archontis dynamo"" by David Galloway) was studied during linear and non-linear saturation regimes. The means were 3-d non-linear MHD simulations and visualization using the high resolution numerical scheme by Nordlund, Galsgaard and others. We have found that the dynamo has a high growth rate in the linear regime, and that it can saturate at a level significantly higher that intermittent turbulent dynamos: Namely very close to energy equipartition for high Reynolds numbers. The equipartition solution however is not turbulent but a laminar solution that acts as an attractor to other modes. Similarities and differences, in the way the magnetic field is amplified and sustained, between experiments with varying Reynolds numbers are illustrated. The conclusion is that strong astrophysical magnetic fields at equipartition are not necessarily generated by turbulent dynamos.