Paper detail

The Spectral Slope and Kolmogorov Constant of MHD turbulence

The spectral slope of strong MHD turbulence has recently been a matter of controversy. While Goldreich-Sridhar model (1995) predicts Kolmogorov's -5/3 slope of turbulence, shallower slopes were often reported by numerical studies. We argue that earlier numerics was affected by driving due to a diffuse locality of energy transfer in MHD case. Our highest-resolution simulation (3072^2x1024) has been able to reach the asymptotic -5/3 regime of the energy slope. Additionally, we found that so-called dynamic alignment, proposed in the model with -3/2 slope, saturates and therefore can not affect asymptotic slope. The observation of the asymptotic regime allowed us to measure Kolmogorov constant C_KA=3.2+-0.2 for purely Alfvénic turbulence and C_K=4.1+-0.3 for full MHD turbulence. These values are much higher than the hydrodynamic value of 1.64. The larger value of Kolmogorov constant is an indication of a fairly inefficient energy transfer and, as we show in this Letter, is in theoretical agreement with our observation of diffuse locality. We also explain what has been missing in numerical studies that reported shallower slopes.

preprint2010arXivOpen access

Signal facts

What is known right now

Open access1 author2 topics

Next steps

Decide what to do with this paper

Use like or dislike for the fast social read. The more specific scholarly feedback stays available below when needed.

Log in to curate

Reading frame

Keep the important context close to the paper

Keep the important signals around this paper in one place: votes, save state, collection context, reviews and the metadata you need before deciding what to do next.

Institutions

Add specific reaction

Move through the context

Research map

Open full explorer

Move through nearby people, institutions, topics and adjacent work without leaving the paper page.

Building this map preview

BZPEER is loading the nearby papers, people, topics and institutions for this page.

Structured reviews

0 review(s)

ContributeLeave structured feedbackUse the review template when you have a concrete strength, concern or method question.Open review form

No structured reviews yet. High-signal critique starts here.

Work discussion

0 comment(s)

DiscussAdd a high-signal commentKeep quick notes, caveats and replication pointers separate from formal reviews.Open comment form

No discussion yet. The first strong comment sets the tone.