Structure of coherent vortices generated by the inverse cascade of two-dimensional turbulence in a finite box.

Abstract

We discuss the structure and geometrical characteristics of coherent vortices appearing as a result of the inverse cascade in two-dimensional turbulence in a finite box. We demonstrate that the universal velocity profile, established by J. Laurie et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 254503 (2014)], corresponds to the passive regime of flow fluctuations. We find the vortex core radius and the vortex size, and we argue that the amount of vortices generated in the box depends on the system parameters.