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arXiv · 0809.3120

Fingerprints of Random Flows?

Michael Wilkinson·Vlad Bezuglyy·Bernhard Mehlig
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Abstract

We consider the patterns formed by small rod-like objects advected by a random flow in two dimensions. An exact solution indicates that their direction field is non-singular. However, we find from simulations that the direction field of the rods does appear to exhibit singularities. First, ` scar lines' emerge where the rods abruptly change direction by $π$. Later, these scar lines become so narrow that they ` heal over' and disappear, but their ends remain as point singularities, which are of the same type as those seen in fingerprints. We give a theoretical explanation for these observations.

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Michael Wilkinson, Vlad Bezuglyy, Bernhard Mehlig. 2008-09-18. Fingerprints of Random Flows?. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3118502

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