Generation of magnetic field during shearing motion of a conducting viscous medium

Magnetic field generation in shear flows of an incompressible viscous conducting medium across the flux lines of the initial field created in them is considered in the framework of the plane 1D problem of magnetohydrodynamics. The conditions of free slip and “sticking” are stipulated at the boundary between the flows. The variations of the magnetic field and velocity of shear flow occurring in the moving medium correspond to an Alfven wave “spreading” during its propagation due to dissipative processes in the medium associated with its viscosity and electrical resistance. It is shown that a high-rate shear of metals under explosive or impact loading may lead to generation of megagauss magnetic fields.