Orbits of a system of three point vortices and the associated chaotic mixing

We study the general periodic motion of a set of three point vortices in the plane, as well as the potentially chaotic motion of one or more tracer particles. While the motion of three vortices is simple in that it can only be periodic, the actual orbits can be surprisingly complex and varied. This rich behavior arises from the existence of both co-linear and equilateral relative equilibria (steady motion in a rotating frame of reference). Here, we start from a general (unsteady) co-linear array with arbitrary vortex circulations. The subsequent motion may take the vortices close to a distinct co-linear relative equilibrium or to an equilateral one. Both equilibrium states are necessarily unstable, as we demonstrate by a linear stability analysis. We go on to study mixing by examining Poincaré sections and finite-time Lyapunov exponents. Both indicate widespread chaotic motion in general, implying that the motion of three vortices efficiently mixes the nearby surrounding fluid outside of small regions surrounding each vortex.