Vortex Filament Dynamics

Vortex rings and filaments evolving under Biot-Savart induction

Configuration

Observables

Segments N
Time t
Ring speed

Theory

A vortex filament self-advects via the Biot-Savart law:

u = Γ/(4π) ∮ (ds × r̂) / r²

The Biot-Savart integral (regularized with core radius δ) gives the velocity field induced by the filament, which then transports each point. Kelvin showed vortex rings translate at speed ∝ Γ·log(R/δ).