title: Turbulence and columnar vortex formation through inertial-wave focusing.
abstract: In this experimental and numerical study, we consider the role of inertial waves in the inverse energy cascade and the transfer of momentum in a rotating fluid. An oscillating torus generates two inertial-wave cones with their energy focusing at their apex. For high wave amplitudes, turbulence is generated locally around the focal point, resulting in angular momentum mixing and the generation of a columnar cyclonic vortex. The results suggest that nonlinear dynamics is essential for the wave induced momentum transport towards columnar vortices in rotating turbulence.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Écoulements Géophysiques et Industriels, CNRS-Université de Grenoble, Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Matias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duran-Matute
authors.forename: Jan-Bert
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Flór
authors.forename: Fabien S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Godeferd
authors.forename: Clément
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jause-Labert