Long-range interaction and elastic collisions of isolated vortices
Abstract
This study explores the interaction of two nearly axisymmetric two-dimensional
vortices using a combination of numerical simulations and analytical arguments. We
consider isolated or ‘shielded’ eddies, characterized by zero net vorticity. The ability of
such vortices to propagate and interact is associated with the small dipolar component
that is introduced initially. Numerical contour dynamics experiments indicate that
the interaction of shielded eddies takes one of two forms, depending on their initial
separation and on the relative orientation of their dipolar components. Eddies can
influence each other by remotely modifying the dipolar moments of partner vortices,
an effect manifested in a gentle deflection of their trajectories from a straight course.
Strong interactions occur when eddies collide and rebound. The remote interaction
is explained by weakly nonlinear theory in which the basic state consists of identical
circularly symmetric eddies and the perturbation is assumed to be small. It is argued
that the elastic rebounds observed during direct collisions are induced by the exchange
of fluid between colliding vortices.
Description
The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0022112008002632
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.Collections
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