Global dynamics in a restricted five vortices problem on the plane (Q2211282)

The paper deals with a restricted 5-vortex problem, where the vortices form a rhomboidal relative equilibrium and their strength are \(\Gamma_1=\Gamma_2=1\), \(\Gamma_3=\Gamma_4=\lambda\) and \(\Gamma_5=0\). Here \(\lambda\in (-1,1]\). In [\textit{G. E. Roberts}, SIAM J. Appl. Dyn. Syst. 12, No. 2, 1114--1134 (2013; Zbl 1282.70022); \textit{M. Hampton} et al., J. Nonlinear Sci. 24, No. 1, 39--92 (2014; Zbl 1302.76042] the authors proved the existence of two families of relative equilibria having rhomboidal configurations. By taking this into consideration, the current authors show that under certain conditions on the vorticities there are two types of rhombus: one is called rhombus type A (outside the square) and the other is named rhombus type B (inside the square), where the square is the limiting case. In order to prove the above result, they characterize the relative equilibrium solution of the 4-vortex problem in complex coordinates \(z_j\) as \[ z_1(t)=ae^{i\nu t},\qquad z_2(t)=-ae^{i\nu t},\qquad z_3(t)=ibe^{i\nu t},\qquad z_4(t)=-ibe^{i\nu t}, \] with \(a, b>0\) and the center of vorticity is at the origin of the coordinate system. Thus, the number and nature of all equilibrium points as function of the parameter \(b\) are studied. More precisely, the authors describe analytically the different phase diagrams and analyze and characterize the global dynamics of this restricted 5-vortex problem as a function of the parameter \(b\), taking into account the form of the rhombus (either A or B). Finally, the global phase portraits on the Poincaré disk are described.