Lack of self-similarity in transverse velocity increments and circulation statistics in two-dimensional turbulence

Description

We study the statistics of longitudinal and transverse structure functions, as well as velocity circulation in the inverse energy cascade of two-dimensional turbulence. By means of direct numerical simulations of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, we show that transverse structure functions exhibit an anomalous scaling, in contrast to the self-similar behavior of longitudinal ones. We argue that the intermittency of transverse structure functions explains the one observed for velocity circulation statistics, although they are driven by different turbulent structures.

Abstract

8 pages, 5 figures

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