Large-eddy simulation of very large kinetic and magnetic Reynolds number isotropic magnetohydrodynamic turbulence using a spectral subgrid model

Abstract

A spectral eddy viscosity and magnetic resistivity subgrid-scale model based on the eddy-damped quasi-normal Markovian (EDQNM) kinetic and magnetic energy transfers is used in large-eddy simulation (LES) of asymptotically large kinetic and magnetic Reynolds number magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence. The model is assessed a posteriori on three-dimensional, incompressible, isotropic, nonhelical, freely decaying MHD turbulence. Using LES initialized with spectra such that the Alfvén ratio of kinetic to magnetic energy equals unity, it is shown that the kinetic energy and magnetic energy spectra exhibit k-5/3 Kolmogorov inertial subrange scalings consistent with the EDQNM model. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.