Hidden scale invariance of turbulence in a shell model: from forcing to dissipation scales

TL;DR

This paper explores how hidden scale invariance in a turbulence shell model explains intermittency and anomalous scaling across all scales, linking multifractal theory to underlying symmetries.

Contribution

It demonstrates that hidden scale invariance underpins intermittency and anomalous scaling in turbulence, providing a symmetry-based foundation for multifractal theory.

Findings

Derives anomalous scaling laws from hidden symmetry in inertial range.

Shows dissipation range behavior controlled by intermittent Reynolds numbers.

Restores scale invariance with specific dissipation models.

Abstract

Intermittency is one of central obstacles for understanding small-scale dynamics in the fully developed hydrodynamic turbulence. The modern approach is largely based on the multifractal theory of Parisi and Frisch which is, however, phenomenological. It was shown recently that the intermittency can be related to the hidden scale invariance. The latter is a new statistical scaling symmetry unbroken in a rescaled (projected) formulation of equations of motion. In the present work, we consider a shell model of turbulence and describe how the hidden symmetry manifests itself through all scales, both in the inertial interval and in the transition to forcing and dissipation ranges. In the inertial interval, we derive anomalous scaling laws from the hidden symmetry. Then, we show how a complicated form of the dissipation range is controlled by intermittent rescaled Reynolds numbers within a large range of dissipation scales. This dissipative intermittency can be removed by using a special class of dissipation models. For such models, the hidden scale invariance is restored both in the inertial interval and the dissipation range. Overall, the presented approach deduces the multifractal theory and some of its basic conclusions from the hidden scaling symmetry of equations of motion.