Abstract
We prove the existence of many different symmetry types of relative equilibria for systems of identical point vortices on a non-rotating sphere. The proofs use the rotational symmetry group SO(3) and the resulting conservation laws, the time-reversing reflectional symmetries in O(3), and the finite symmetry group of permutations of identical vortices. Results include both global existence theorems and local results on bifurcations from equilibria. A more detailed study is made of relative equilibria which consist of two parallel rings with n vortices in each rotating about a common axis. The paper ends with discussions of the bifurcation diagrams for systems of 3-6 identical vortices.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 97-135 |
Number of pages | 38 |
Journal | Physica D: Nonlinear Phenomena |
Volume | 148 |
Issue number | 1-2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2001 |