Point vortex dynamics: Recent results and open problems
The concept of point vortex motion, a classical model in the theory of two-dimensional, incompressible fluid mechanics, was introduced by Helmholtz in 1858. Exploration of the solutions to these equations has made fitful progress since that time as the point vortex model has been brought to bear on various physical situations: atomic structure, large-scale weather patterns, ''vortex street'' wakes, vortex lattices in superfluids and superconductors, etc. The point vortex equations also provide an interesting example of transition to chaotic behavior. We give a brief historical introduction to these topics and develop two of them in particular to the point of current understanding: steadily moving configurations of point vortices; and collision dynamics of vortex pairs. 26 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States); California Univ., San Diego, La Jolla (USA). Dept. of Applied Mechanics and Engineering Sciences; Kernforschungsanlage Juelich G.m.b.H. (Germany, F.R.). Inst. fuer Festkoerperforschung
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 6015248
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-87-2850; CONF-8709125-1; ON: DE87014759
- Resource Relation:
- Journal Volume: 3; Journal Issue: 1-4; Conference: IUTAM symposium on vortex motion, Tokyo, Japan, 28 Sep 1987; Other Information: Paper copy only, copy does not permit microfiche production
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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