 |
Center for Nonlinear Studies |
Waves and vortices form two fundamental building blocks of fluid flow in rotating, stratified and compressible flows. Waves are described by hyperbolic evolution equations with finite propagation speeds - examples being acoustic waves emitted by a supersonic jet or internal gravity waves in the ocean. Vortex dynamics are on the other hand described by elliptic operators implying infinite propagation speeds or action at a distance. In this talk I will discuss a few example problems based on simple models such as rotating shallow water equations and two dimensional isentropic flow equations to investigate weakly nonlinear interactions between wave and vortex fields. Theory and numerical simulations will be used to demonstrate how waves can be refracted and scattered by vortices, while strong wave activity can significantly and irreversibly distort vortex motion.
Host: Balu Nadiga