The early stage of the motion along the gradient of a concentrated vortex structure

Abstract

We give a rigorous mathematical result, supported by numerical simulations, of the aggregation of a concentrated vortex blob with an underlying non-constant vorticity field: the blob moves in the direction of the gradient of the field. It is a unique example of a Lagrangian explanation of aggregation of vortex structures of the same sign in 2D inviscid fluids. The result is also extended to almost vertical vortex filaments in a (possibly thin) three-dimensional domain.

11 pages, 4 figures