Chaotic jets. (Q1406803)

This paper reviews the concept of ``chaotic jet'', trajectories in the phase space of a Hamiltonian system that remain within a ``scale of interest'' for a relatively long time. No formal definitions or proofs are presented. A jet can be envisioned as an ensemble of fluid particles travelling coherently together and exhibiting little dispersion on a given scale. Strong chaotic motion within a jet is possible, below the level of a specific scale. The concept of a chaotic jet allows one to define a diagnostic capable of capturing the singular dynamics responsible for anomalous transport in systems of point vortices. Jets identified by the authors were typically found on the boundaries of coherent structures in phase space. The authors apply their diagnostic concept to a numerical study of the advection of passive tracers in flows governed by point vortices.