MHD turbulence measurements in a sodium channel flow exposed to a transverse magnetic field

The influence of a static transverse magnetic held on a turbulent sodium fl ow in a channel with a rectangular cross-section is investigated. The turbu lence has been forced by mechanical means employing a grid of cylindrical b ars. Electric potential probes have been used to determine the longitudinal component of the liquid velocity. The experiments cover a wide range of th e nondimensional parameters Hartmann number (Ha less than or equal to 3000) and the magnetic interaction parameter (N less than or equal to 800). Meas urements of the turbulence intensity as a function of the magnetic interact ion number N will be presented and discussed. The measured spectra are esse ntially different from those predicted according to the theory of two-dimen sional turbulence. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.