Fast zonal field dynamo in collisionless kinetic Alfven wave turbulence

Abstract

The possibility of fast dynamo action by collisionless kinetic Alfven wave turbulence is demonstrated. The irreversibility necessary to lock in the generated field is provided by electron Landau damping, so the induced electric field does not vanish with resistivity. Mechanisms for self-regulation of the system and the relation of these results to the theory of alpha quenching are discussed. The dynamo-generated fields have symmetry like to that of zonal flows, and thus are termed zonal fields.