Nonlinear excitation of zonal flows by rossby wave turbulence

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Mendonça, J T and Shukla, P K and Bingham, R (2009) Nonlinear excitation of zonal flows by rossby wave turbulence. New Journal of Physics, 11. 073038. ISSN 1367-2630 (https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/11/7/073038)

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Abstract

We apply the wave-kinetic approach to study nonlinearly coupled Rossby wave-zonal flow fluid turbulence in a two-dimensional rotating fluid. Specifically, we consider for the first time nonlinear excitations of zonal flows by a broad spectrum of Rossby wave turbulence. Short-wavelength Rossby waves are described here as a fluid of quasi-particles, and are referred to as the 'Rossbyons'. It is shown that Reynolds stresses of Rossbyons can generate large-scale zonal flows. The result should be useful in understanding the origin of large-scale planetary and near-Earth atmospheric circulations. It also provides an example of a turbulent wave background driving a coherent structure.

ORCID iDs

Mendonça, J T, Shukla, P K and Bingham, R ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9843-7635;
  • Item type:Article
    ID code:19035
    Dates:
    Date
    Event
    23 July 2009
    Published
    Subjects:Science > Physics
    Department:Faculty of Science > Physics
    Depositing user: Strathprints Administrator
    Date deposited:28 May 2010 10:20
    Last modified:30 Nov 2024 13:58
    URI:https://strathprints.strath.ac.uk/id/eprint/19035
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