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Inverse energy cascade in forced two-dimensional quantum turbulence
Matthew T Reeves1, Thomas P Billam, Brian P Anderson
1Jack Dodd Centre for Quantum Technology, Department of Physics, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand.
Physical Review Letters
|March 26, 2013
Summary
We show an inverse energy cascade in quantum vortex turbulence. This phenomenon transports vortex energy to larger scales, similar to classical systems, and occurs in quantum fluids.
Area of Science:
- Quantum turbulence
- Fluid dynamics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Turbulence in quantum fluids exhibits unique phenomena.
- Inverse energy cascades are observed in classical fluids, transferring energy to larger scales.
- Understanding quantum turbulence requires exploring energy transfer mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate an inverse energy cascade in a minimal model of forced 2D quantum vortex turbulence.
- To investigate the role of vortex dynamics in energy transfer within quantum fluids.
- To compare quantum fluid turbulence with classical turbulence phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Simulating the Gross-Pitaevskii equation for a moving superfluid.
- Applying forcing via a stationary grid of obstacle potentials.
- Implementing damping using a stationary thermal cloud.
Main Results:
- Identified a regime of forcing and damping enabling efficient vortex energy transport to large scales.
- Observed the growth of same-circulation vortex clusters driving the inverse energy cascade.
- Detected Kolmogorov scaling in the kinetic energy spectrum and spectral condensation at system size.
Conclusions:
- The inverse energy cascade phenomenon is demonstrated in 2D quantum vortex turbulence.
- Quantum fluids exhibit energy transfer mechanisms analogous to classical systems.
- This study provides evidence for inverse energy cascades in quantum fluid dynamics.
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