Abstract
The understanding of turbulent flows is one of the biggest current challenges in physics, as no first-principles theory exists to explain their observed spatio-temporal intermittency. Turbulent flows may be regarded as an intricate collection of mutually-interacting vortices. This picture becomes accurate in quantum turbulence, which is built on tangles of discrete vortex filaments. Here, we study the statistics of velocity circulation in quantum and classical turbulence. We show that, in quantum flows, Kolmogorov turbulence emerges from the correlation of vortex orientations, while deviations—associated with intermittency—originate from their non-trivial spatial arrangement. We then link the spatial distribution of vortices in quantum turbulence to the coarse-grained energy dissipation in classical turbulence, enabling the application of existent models of classical turbulence intermittency to the quantum case. Our results provide a connection between the intermittency of quantum and classical turbulence and initiate a promising path to a better understanding of the latter.
Highlights
The understanding of turbulent flows is one of the biggest current challenges in physics, as no first-principles theory exists to explain their observed spatio-temporal intermittency
By performing simulations of a generalised GP equation, we have shown that the anomalous scaling exponents λp in the inertial scales of quantum turbulence closely match those observed in classical turbulence[13]
We have attempted at providing an interpretation for the intermittent statistics of velocity circulation in turbulent flows
Summary
The understanding of turbulent flows is one of the biggest current challenges in physics, as no first-principles theory exists to explain their observed spatio-temporal intermittency. 1234567890():,; Vortices are manifestly the most attractive feature of fluid flows occurring in the Nature They are highly rotating zones of the fluid that often take the form of elongated filaments, of which tornadoes are one prominent example in atmospheric flows. The dynamics of vortex filaments in fluid flows is highly nontrivial, as they can reconnect changing the topology of the flow[1] Their non-trivial arrangements may lead to very complex configurations and in particular to turbulence, an out-of-equilibrium state characterised by a large-scale separation between the scales at which energy is injected and the one at which it is dissipated.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
