Induction mechanisms in a von Kármán swirling flow of liquid Gallium

Using in situ magnetic field measurements, we study the induction mechanisms in a swirling flow of liquid Gallium generated inside a cylinder, in the gap between two coaxial rotating discs. The von Kármán flow generated in this manner has both helicity and differential rotation. Magnetic Reynolds numbers Rm up to 7 (based on the disc rim speed) are generated. We study the magnetic induction when an external field is applied successively along the axis, in the azimuthal direction or tranverse to the axis of rotation. In the first two cases, both the flow and the magnetic field are axisymmetric, and an effective mechanism of conversion from poloidal to toroidal field exists but, in agreement …