Hydrodynamic stability and mode coupling in Keplerian flows: local strato-rotational analysis

Abstract

Aims. Qualitative analysis of key (but yet unappreciated) linear phenomena in stratified hydrodynamic Keplerian flows: (i) the occurrence of a vortex mode, as a consequence of strato-rotational balance, with its transient dynamics; (ii) the generation of spiral-density waves (also called inertia-gravity or $g\Omega$ waves) by the vortex mode through linear mode coupling in shear flows. Methods. Non-modal analysis of linearized Boussinesq equations written in the shearing sheet approximation of accretion disk flows. Results. It is shown that the combined action of rotation and stratification introduces a new degree of freedom -- vortex mode perturbation -- which is linearly coupled with the spiral-density waves. These two modes are jointly able to extract energy from the background flow and they govern the disk dynamics in the small-scale range. The transient behavior of these modes is determined by the non-normality of the Keplerian shear flow. Tightly leading vortex mode perturbations undergo substantial transient growth, then, becoming trailing, inevitably generate trailing spiral-density waves by linear mode coupling. This course of events -- transient growth plus coupling -- is particularly pronounced for perturbation harmonics with comparable azimuthal and vertical scales and it renders the energy dynamics similar to the 3D unbounded plane Couette flow case. Conclusions. Our investigation strongly suggests that the so-called bypass concept of turbulence, which has been recently developed by the hydrodynamic community for spectrally stable shear flows, can also be applied to Keplerian disks. This conjecture may be confirmed by appropriate numerical simulations that take in account the vertical stratification and consequent mode coupling in the high Reynolds number regime.

A&A (accepted)

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• Magnetorotational instability: nonmodal growth and the relationship of global modes to the shearing box
• Global transient dynamics of three-dimensional hydrodynamical disturbances in a thin viscous accretion disk
• Axisymmetric modes in vertically stratified self-gravitating discs
• Linear coupling of modes in 2D radially stratified astrophysical discs
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• Excitation of spiral density waves by convection in accretion discs
• Non-exponential hydrodynamical growth in density-stratified thin Keplerian discs
• Transient growth of perturbations on scales beyond the accretion disc thickness
• An optimal transient growth of small perturbations in thin gaseous discs
• Transonic properties of the accretion disk around compact objects