Issue EAS Publications Series Volume 21, 2006 Stellar Fluid Dynamics and Numerical Simulations: From the Sun to Neutron Stars Page(s) 81 - 104 DOI 10.1051/eas:2006107 Published online 07 June 2006

Stellar Fluid Dynamics and Numerical Simulations: From the Sun to Neutron Stars
M. Rieutord and B. Dubrulle (eds)
EAS Publications Series, 21 (2006) 81-104
DOI: 10.1051/eas:2006107

Saturation of the magnetorotational instability: Asymptotically exact theory

K. Julien¹ and E. Knobloch<sup>2

1</sup>  Department of Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
²  Department of Physics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA

Abstract
An analytical theory is developed that describes the process of nonlinear saturation of the magnetorotational instability. The theory employs the shearing sheet approximation with arbitrary (but linear) shear flow, and is asymptotically exact in a well-defined parameter regime. In this regime the instability saturates by extracting energy from the shear, and modifying the shear responsible for it. The saturation process requires both viscous and ohmic dissipation. The theory also describes the approach from small amplitude perturbations to the final strongly nonlinear saturated state.

© EAS, EDP Sciences 2006

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