Geodynamo Placement - Colin Hardy
In May-June 2019, I visited the Geodynamo group at Isterre, Université Grenoble Alpes, for a 6 week academic research placement. This was a very enjoyable and productive experience, for which I thank the CDT for funding. During my time there I had fruitful discussion with the whole group and established several contacts, with whom future collaboration is anticipated. My PhD research focuses on the dynamo process within Earth's core, which is responsible for generating and sustaining the geomagnetic field.
On a practical level, one key goal of the placement which was achieved, was for me to learn how to use the spherical dynamo code 'XSHELLS' written by Nathanaël Schaeffer, and modify the setup for my research. This allows me to directly build upon some of my previous work, through the dynamical evolution of geomagnetic field models that I have constructed through analytic means, to examine important features, such as stability.
Conversations with Dominique Jault instigated a new, promising avenue for my research which I am continuing to pursue, I am using numerical dynamo simulations which include a stratified fluid layer in order to quantify the effect of this on the magnetic field structure. I am comparing the results of these simulations with a finite stratification strength, to analytical results which hold within the extreme limits of very strong and very weak stratification.
The atmosphere within the lab was very friendly and welcoming. I had the opportunity to present the results of my previous PhD work to the group and receive feedback on a draft manuscript. As well as present the research I was undertaking during my time there to the whole group. I also had chance to experience the research undertaken within the wider lab, one highlight was seeing the new spherical, rotating fluid experiment 'ZoRo2' in action and learning about some of the preliminary results from this.
I thank my hosts Nathanaël Schaeffer and Dominique Jault for their regular availability and keen interest shown during my visit, it was a pleasure to work closely with them. The exciting projects initiated while in Grenoble will continue with remote collaboration and now form a significant part of my PhD plan. I look forward to sharing the final results with the research community in the coming months.
Mountain-top view of the city.
Photo of the lab at Isterre.