Point vortices on the hyperboloid

Abstract

In Hamiltonian systems with symmetry, many previous studies have centred their attention on compact symmetry groups, but relatively little is known about the effects of noncompact groups. This thesis investigates the properties of the system of N point vortices on the hyperbolic plane H2, which has noncompact symmetry SL (2, R).The Poisson Hamiltonian structure of this dynamical system is presented and the relative equilibria conditions are found. We also describe the trajectories of relative equilibria with momentum value not equal to zero. Finally, stability criteria are found for a number of cases, focusing on N = 2, 3. These results are placed in context with the study of point vortices on the sphere, which has compact symmetry.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2013
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	James Montaldi (Supervisor)