Two-Way Coupled Dynamics of Quantized Vortex Bundle Formation in Spatially Periodic Normal-Fluid Turbulence

Abstract

Using fully coupled two-way simulations combining the vortex filament model with the Navier--Stokes equations, we discover that quantized vortices in superfluid $^4$He are systematically rolled up into coherent bundles within normal-fluid vortex tubes. Although co-rotating quantized vortices do not aggregate spontaneously, mutual friction with the normal fluid actively drives their bundling, directly inheriting the spatial hierarchy of classical turbulence. Mutual friction excites high-wavenumber normal-fluid vortex tubes adjacent to quantized vortices, while the superfluid forms a nested structure of thick low-wavenumber outer tubes and fine high-wavenumber inner tubes around the vortex lines. A distinct time lag between superfluid kinetic energy and dissipation fuels the energy cascade, giving rise to Kolmogorov&#39;s $k^{-5/3}$ spectrum. Crucially, bundle lifetimes are governed by the ratio of the local coupling time scale $t_\mathrm{cl}$ to the Kolmogorov dissipation time scale $τ_η$ ($t_\mathrm{cl}/τ_η< 20$), leading to enhanced thermal stability at higher temperatures. These findings establish a unified mechanism for two-fluid multiscale vortex organization.