Turbulence and columnar vortex formation through inertial-wave focusing
Matias Duran-Matute, Jan-Bert Flór, Fabien S. Godeferd, and Clément Jause-Labert
Accepted
In this experimental/numerical study, we consider the role of inertial waves in the inverse energy cascade and the transfer of momentum in a rotating fluid. An oscillating torus generates two inertial wave cones with their energy focusing at their apex. For high wave amplitudes, turbulence is generated locally around the focal point resulting in angular momentum mixing and the generation of a columnar cyclonic vortex. The results suggest that nonlinear dynamics is essential for the wave induced momentum transport towards columnar vortices in rotating turbulence.