Formation of Singularities and Self-Similar Vortex Motion Under the Localized Induction Approximation†

Abstract

Abstract The dynamical behavior of an isolated vortex filament in three dimensions within the localized induction approximation (LIA) is investigated. It is shown the existence of a uniparametric family of smooth solutions of LIA that generates a corner in finite time. An explicit formula of the solution is provided in terms of the curvature of the initial regular configuration. The behavior of the uniparametric family of solutions with respect to the free parameter is also considered.