Nonlinear Magnetic Convection at Small Prandtl Numbers

Abstract

Nonlinear magnetic convection is investigated using the modal equations for cellular convection. The boundary layer method is used assuming large Rayleigh number R and small Prandtl number a for different ranges of the Chandrasekhar number Q. The heat flux F is determined for the value of the wave number which maximizes F. For a weak field, F is independent of Q but increases with Ra; for a moderate field, F decreases with Q but increases with R and a; for a strong field, F decreases with Q, increases with R and is ndependent of a. F eventually becomes 0(1) as Q 4- OCR), and the layer becomes stable.