Kinetic theory of point vortices: diffusion coefficient and systematic drift

Abstract

We develop a kinetic theory for point vortices in two-dimensional hydrodynamics. Using standard projection operator technics, we derive a Fokker-Planck equation describing the relaxation of a ``test'' vortex in a bath of ``field'' vortices at statistical equilibrium. The relaxation is due to the combined effect of a diffusion and a drift. The drift is shown to be responsible for the organization of point vortices at negative temperatures. A description that goes beyond the thermal bath approximation is attempted. A new kinetic equation is obtained which respects all conservation laws of the point vortex system and satisfies a H-theorem. Close to equilibrium this equation reduces to the ordinary Fokker-Planck equation.Comment: 50 pages. To appear in Phys. Rev.