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Updated: May 18, 2026

Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
Phase transitions and marginal ensemble equivalence for freely evolving flows on a rotating sphere
C Herbert1, B Dubrulle, P H Chavanis
1Service de Physique de l'Etat Condensé, Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette, France. corentin.herbert@lsce.ipsl.fr
Planetary atmospheric circulation can be understood through statistical mechanics of turbulent flows. This study reveals phase transitions between zonal flow and dipole structures in a simplified atmospheric model.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric dynamics
- Statistical mechanics
- Fluid turbulence
Background:
- Traditional dynamical frameworks for planetary atmospheres.
- Application of statistical mechanics to atmospheric turbulent flows.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply statistical mechanics of turbulent flows to a simplified global atmospheric model.
- To investigate nontrivial equilibria and phase transitions in atmospheric circulation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the quasigeostrophic model for simplified global atmosphere.
- Applying statistical mechanics theory of turbulent flows.
- Analyzing phase transitions and spontaneous symmetry breaking.
Main Results:
- Identified nontrivial equilibria in the atmospheric model.
- Observed phase transitions between solid-body rotation (zonal flow) and dipole structures.
- Demonstrated spontaneous symmetry breaking in the dipole phase.
Conclusions:
- The statistical mechanics of turbulent flows provides a new framework for understanding atmospheric circulation.
- The model exhibits phase transitions and symmetry breaking, offering insights beyond traditional dynamical theories.
- Introduced the concept of Goldstone modes in this context, advancing the theory of marginal ensemble equivalence.
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