Growing pseudo-eigenmodes and positive logarithmic norms in rotating shear flows

Abstract

Rotating shear flows, when angular momentum increases and angular velocity decreases as functions of radiation coordinate, are hydrodynamically stable under linear perturbation. The Keplerian flow is an example of such systems which appears in astrophysical context. Although decaying eigenmodes exhibit large transient energy growth of perturbation which could govern nonlinearity into the system, the feedback of inherent instability to generate turbulence seems questionable. We show that such systems exhibiting growing pseudo-eigenmodes easily reach an upper bound of growth rate in terms of the logarithmic norm of the involved nonnormal operators, thus exhibiting feedback of inherent instability. This supports the existence of turbulence of hydrodynamic origin in the Keplerian accretion disc in astrophysics. Hence, this enlightens the mismatch between the linear theory and experimental/observed data and helps in resolving the outstanding question of origin of turbulence therein.