Stellar evolution with rotation and magnetic fields

III. The interplay of circulation and dynamo

Geneva Observatory, 1290 Sauverny, Switzerland e-mail: [andre.maeder;georges.meynet]@obs.unige.ch

Received: 19 April 2005
Accepted: 20 May 2005

Abstract

We examine the effects of the magnetic field created by the Tayler-Spruit dynamo in differentially rotating stars. Magnetic fields of the order of a few 10⁴ G are present through most of the stellar envelope, with the exception of the outer layers. The diffusion coefficient for the transport of angular momentum is very large and it imposes nearly solid body rotation during the MS phase. In turn, solid body rotation drives meridional circulation currents which are much faster than usual and leads to much larger diffusion coefficients than the magnetic diffusivity for the chemical species. The consequence is that the interplay of the thermal and magnetic instabilities favours the chemical transport of elements, while there would be no transport in models with magnetic field only. We also discuss the effects on the stellar interior, lifetimes and HR diagram.