Studies of turbulent angular momentum transport in Taylor-Couette flow via 2D LDV

Abstract

The turbulent (i.e., fluctuation-driven) transport of angular momentum in Taylor-Couette flow may be observed locally and directly with second order velocity fluctuation correlations obtained by dual beam (2D) Laser Doppler Velocimetry (LDV). This method is complementary to torque measurements, and initial results are commensurate with earlier torque studies performed in turbulent regimes. Other results utilizing this technique with centrifugally-stable high Reynolds number (Re) flows indicate that the fluid is quiescent and devoid of significant angular momentum transport, even up to Re ∼ 106. This latter result is thought to bear upon the hydrodynamic properties of cool astrophysical accretion disks. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.