Test-field method for mean-field coefficients with MHD background

Aims. The test-field method for computing turbulent transport coefficients from simulations of hydromagnetic flows is extended to the regime with a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) background. Methods. A generalized set of test equations is derived using both the induction equation and a modified momentum equation. By employing an additional set of auxiliary equations, we obtain linear equations describing the response of the system to a set of prescribed test fields. Purely magnetic and MHD backgrounds are emulated by applying an electromotive force in the induction equation analogously to the ponderomotive force in the momentum equation. Both forces are chosen to have Roberts-flow like geometry. Results. Examples with purely magnetic as well as MHD backgrounds are studied where the previously used quasi-kinematic testfield method breaks down. In cases with homogeneous mean fields it is shown that the generalized test-field method produces the same results as the imposed-field method, where the field-aligned component of the actual electromotive force from the simulation is used. Furthermore, results for the turbulent diffusivity are given, which are inaccessible to the imposed-field method. For MHD backgrounds, new mean-field effects are found that depend on the occurrence of cross-correlations between magnetic and velocity fluctuations. In particular, there is a contribution to the mean Lorentz force that is linear in the mean field and hence reverses sign upon a reversal of the mean field. For strong mean fields, α is found to be quenched proportional to the fourth power of the field strength, regardless of the type of background studied.