Eur. Phys. J. B 82, 173-178 (2011)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2011-10775-0

Offsprings of a point vortex

¹ Centre de Physique Théorique, Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS (UMR 6207), Luminy, Case 907, 13288 Marseille Cedex 9, France
² Institut Jean le Rond d'Alembert, CNRS & Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UMR 7190), Tour 55-65, 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France
³ C.P.M.O.H. (UMR 5798), Université Bordeaux 1, 351 Cours de la Libération, 33405 Talence Cedex, France

Corresponding author: ^a leoncini@cpt.univ-mrs.fr

Received: 11 October 2010
Revised: 30 March 2011
Published online: 6 July 2011

Abstract

The distribution engendered by successive splitting of one point vortex are considered. The process of splitting a vortex in three using a reverse three-point vortex collapse course is analysed in great details and shown to be dissipative. A simple process of successive splitting is then defined and the resulting vorticity distribution and vortex populations are analysed.