Time-Symmetry Breaking in Turbulent Multi-Particle Dispersion

121 Pages·2015·9.824 MB·English

by  Jennifer Jucha (auth.)

Springer Theses
Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research
Jennifer Jucha

Time-Symmetry
Breaking in
Turbulent Multi-
Particle Dispersion
Springer Theses
Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research
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Jennifer Jucha
Time-Symmetry Breaking
in Turbulent Multi-Particle
Dispersion
Doctoral Thesis accepted by
ö
the University of G ttingen, Germany
123
Author Supervisor
Dr. Jennifer Jucha Prof. Eberhard Bodenschatz
Laboratory for FluidDynamics, Pattern Laboratory for FluidDynamics, Pattern
Formationand Biocomplexity Formationand Biocomplexity
MaxPlanckInstitute for Dynamicsand MaxPlanckInstitute for Dynamicsand
Self-Organization Self-Organization
Göttingen Göttingen
Germany Germany
ISSN 2190-5053 ISSN 2190-5061 (electronic)
SpringerTheses
ISBN978-3-319-19191-1 ISBN978-3-319-19192-8 (eBook)
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-19192-8
LibraryofCongressControlNumber:2015941867
SpringerChamHeidelbergNewYorkDordrechtLondon
©SpringerInternationalPublishingSwitzerland2015
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Turbulence is the most important unsolved
problem of classical physics.
Richard P. Feynman,
The Feynman Lectures on Physics, 1964
’
Supervisor s Foreword
ThisthesisbyJenniferJuchapresentsexcitingnewresultsonthetimereversibility
and multiple particle dispersion inturbulent flows of simple and complex fluids. It
shows beautifully the connection between time irreversibility of the turbulent flow
and two and four particle dispersion. This, Jennifer Jucha achieved by combining
analytical theoretical calculations of the short-time evolution with careful experi-
mental investigations of multi-particle dispersion in which particles are tracked at
very high spatial and temporal resolution, and first-principle simulations of the
Navier-Stokes equation in a periodic box. The thesis comprehensively and con-
cisely reviews fluid turbulence as a whole and particle tracking in particular. An
analysis of the experimental methods is presented and the finite volume biases are
discussedindetailandmethodsofavoidingthemareshown.Thethesispresentsthe
very important discovery that short-time pair dispersion is faster backwards than
forwards in time. It convincingly connects this to the turbulent energy transfer
throughscales(energycascade).ItisastoundingthatthisquiteweakeffectOðt3Þis
clearlymeasurableinexperiment.Thetetrahedronanalysisontheotherhandgives
muchclearerresultsatOðtÞduetothenon-vanishingintermediateeigenvalueofthe
perceivedrate-of-straintensor. Thisfinding isvery important,as it allows a coarse
grainedunderstandingofturbulencedynamicspurelybasedontheevolutionoffour
particles. It is delightful to see the fearless theoretical analysis combined with a
beautifully done experiment and analysis. Then, Jennifer carries over her experi-
mental technique to very dilute polymer solutions. This adds elastic degrees of
vii
viii Supervisor’sForeword
freedomtotheenergytransportthroughtheturbulentcascade.Shefindsunexpected
newresultsthatcryforatheoreticalexplanation.Overall,thisisatrulyexceptional
thesis—a must read for students and senior researchers alike.
March 2014 Prof. Eberhard Bodenschatz
Laboratory for Fluid Dynamics
Pattern Formation and Biocomplexity
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics
and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany
Institute for Nonlinear Dynamics
University of Göttingen
Göttingen, Germany
Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics
Sibley School of Mechanical
and Aerospace Engineering
Cornell University
Ithaca, USA
Acknowledgments
I would first of all like to thank my advisor Eberhard Bodenschatz for offering me
thepossibilitytoconductmydoctoralresearchinsuchastimulatingandsupportive
environment. With his enthusiasm for new ideas and projects he greatly motivated
metothinkoutsidetheboxanddaretotrynewthings.WhatIappreciatemostisthe
guidanceheprovidedformypersonalandprofessionaldevelopment.Hehelpedme
to discover which career I want to pursue and he enabled me to work towards my
goals.
I also thank Annette Zippelius and Jens Niemeyer for their helpful ideas and
recommendationsduringmythesiscommitteemeetings.Beingfromdifferentfields
of research, they contributed the outside perspective on my project that helped me
to prevent any blind spots.
Another person whocontributedgreatlytothesuccessofthis thesis wasHaitao
Xu. With his seemingly endless knowledge on experimental techniques and his
great patience in teaching them, he was the one to support me in my challenging
transitionfrombeingatheoreticalphysicisttobeinganexperimentalone.Hisgreat
experience with turbulent flows and our many intense discussions on experimental
findingswereanenormoushelptomeininterpretingmydata.Hisdoorwasalways
open for me and I am deeply grateful for this.
I also want to thank my collaborator Alain Pumir from École Normale
SupérieuredeLyon.ThankstohimIwasabletocomparemyexperimentalfindings
with numerical results and even tackle some questions my data could not address.
Besides this, he was always willing to double-check and improve my calculations
and was never tired of explaining some of the more complex theoretical ideas to
me.
Further theoretical support was provided by Anna Frishmann from the
WeizmannInstituteofScienceinRehovot.AfterIdiscussedwithhermypuzzling
finding that the odd and even terms of my short-time expansion seem to have
different intrinsic timespans, she quickly developed the brilliant proof on why this
must be the case. I also greatly appreciate our discussions on science and culture,
which made many a conference more enjoyable.
ix
x Acknowledgments
Ofcourse,Ialsowishtothankallofthelovelypeopleattheinstitutewhomade
my stay here so great. I very much enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the
readiness to help each other. I would especially like to thank Garrett Good for
proofreading every line of this thesis at least once and for helping me to improve
my English. I am also very grateful to all of the excellent machinists, electricians
andtechniciansintheworkshopsandexperimentalhall.Theirhelpinallmysmall
and large disasters in the lab was invaluable.
GreatthanksarealsoduetotheentireGGNBteamfortheirfast,unbureaucratic
support in all areas of the graduate school.
LastbutnotleastIwouldliketothankmyfamilyfortheirloveandsupportinall
these years. I am very happy to have such loving parents who always encouraged
metodowhatIenjoyandneverfailedtoofferhelporadvice.Ialsothankmysister
for always listening to my problems and for helping me put them in the right
perspective.Finally,IwouldliketothankmyhusbandPatrick.Hisdeeptrustinme
and his ability to always make me laugh made even the most difficult times
enjoyable.
Göttingen, Germany Jennifer Jucha
July 2014