Abstract
A novel semi-analytic spectral method, based on eigenfunction expansions, is applied to model the angular momentum transport in stellar radiative interiors. The advantages of our approach are shown by applying it to a spin-down model for a 1M ⊙ main-sequence star. The evolution of the coupling between core and envelope is investigated for different values of the viscosity and different geometries and intensities of the poloidal field. We suggest that a quadrupolar poloidal field may explain the short coupling timescale (τ c∼10 Myr) needed to reproduce the observed rotational evolution of fast rotators on the zero age main sequence, while a dipolar geometry is indicated in the case of slow rotators (τ c∼100 Myr). Our method provides a rigorous analytic treatment of a classic MHD problem and allows us to explore the influence of various parameters on the rotational history of radiative interiors.
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Spada, F., Lanzafame, A.C. & Lanza, A.F. A semi-analytic approach to angular momentum transport in stellar radiative interiors. Astrophys Space Sci 328, 279–283 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-009-0243-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-009-0243-z