Tensor Topology Tracking: A Visualization Method for Time-Dependent 2D Symmetric Tensor Fields

Abstract

Topological methods produce simple and meaningful depicti ons of symmetric, second order two-dimensional tensor fields. Extending previous work dealing with vector fields, we propose here a scheme for the visualization of time-dependent tensor fields. Basic notions of unsteady t topology are discussed. Topological changes known as bifurcations - are precisely detected and identifie d by our method which permits an accurate tracking of degenerate points and related structures.