Gauge equivalence and transdimensional perturbation: point vortices

Abstract

There is an explicit resolution of the Poisson reduction of four planar point vortices, in the case that three of the vortex strengths are equal and the total vorticity is zero. The resolution, a Hamiltonian system on a unified symplectic phase space with a symmetry breaking parameter, is obtained by appending redundant states. Though single point vortices do not have the attribute of mass, there are circular assemblages with the collective dynamics of free massive particles, demonstrating a finite dimensional dynamics where mass emerges from a gauge symmetry breaking. The internal vibration of these assemblages is coupled to their collective motion and has the same functional form as the de Broglie wavelength.