Convective dynamos in spherical wedge geometry

Self-consistent convective dynamo simulations in wedge-shaped spherical shells are presented. Differential rotation is generated by the interaction of convection with rotation. Equatorward acceleration and dynamo action are obtained only for sufficiently rapid rotation. The angular velocity tends to be constant along cylinders. Oscillatory large-scale fields are found to migrate in the poleward direction. Comparison with earlier simulations in full spherical shells and Cartesian domains is made. (C) 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA. Weinheim