Spatially resolved stretching-rotation-stretching sequence in flow topology as elementary structure of fluid mixing

Abstract

We performed two-dimensional numerical simulations of passive stirring of two liquids which generated two spatially distinguishable paradigmatic velocity flows, viz. few large extended vortices and rapid oscillations. Using the Okubo- Weiss criterion, we mapped regions of stretching and rotation in the flow field. We find that an elementary oscillatory sequence of stretching-rotation-stretching induces spatial redistribution and steepening of concentration gradients, and the aggregation of such sequences determines fluid mixing at a downstream position. Furthermore, we quantify the paradigms of 'stretching' and 'folding' by developing measures based on flow topology which would facilitate the design of stirring protocols.