Hydrodynamics of Quantum Vortices in Two Dimensions

Dr Xiaoquan Yu

Department of Physics, University of Otago, NZ

A large number of well-separated quantum vortices with positive and negative circulations behave as an inviscid fluid on large scales.The emergent binary vortex fluid is subject to anomalous stresses absent from Euler's equation, caused by the singular nature of quantum vortices. The binary vortex fluid is compressible, and has an asymmetric Cauchy stress tensor allowing orbital angular momentum exchange with the vorticity and vortex density. An analytic solution for vortex shear flow driven by anomalous stresses is in excellent agreement with numerical simulations of the point-vortex model. Dissipation effects due to thermal friction are also considered.

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