Title :
Disproof of Cowling´s theorem
Author_Institution :
Tennessee Univ., Knoxville, TN, USA
Abstract :
Summary form only given, as follows. In the study of planetary and stellar magnetic fields, a thermally driven MHD generator is generally assumed to be the source of the field. Cowling´s theorem is used to prove that cylindrically symmetric models are not capable of producing steady-state magnetic fields. The theorem is based on the fact that there is a current loop that lies inside the conducting medium. This loop has no magnetic field at right angles to the current, and so a current fed by E= nu *B cannot exist. Thus the current loop must decay, and the model must be invalid. The author has demonstrated that mechanisms for feeding a current loop other than the nu *B process can occur. For example, collisional processes can cause a current to migrate into electric-field-free regions.<>
Keywords :
magnetohydrodynamics; planetary magnetism; stellar magnetism; Cowling´s theorem; collisional processes; current loop; electric-field-free regions; planetary magnetic fields; steady-state magnetic fields; stellar magnetic fields; thermally driven MHD generator; Magnetohydrodynamics;
Conference_Titel :
Plasma Science, 1989. IEEE Conference Record - Abstracts., 1989 IEEE International Conference on
Conference_Location :
Buffalo, NY, USA
DOI :
10.1109/PLASMA.1989.166119