Kinematic dynamo action in large magnetic Reynolds number flows driven by shear and convection (Q2731248)

This paper is a study of kinematic dynamo instabilities in flows that are heated from below and contain a localized layer of strong shear at their base in the form of an Ekman layer. Following instabilities of the equilibrium state, overturning convection occurs, which is driven either by buoyancy forces or by extracting kinetic energy from the shear flow. Both energy sources act simultaneously, but the character of the flow is generally dominated by one or other of the instability mechanisms. The problem is the subject of a numerical investigation. The solar dynamo is the broad motivation for the work.