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In this paper we determine the effects of winding number on the dynamics of vortex torus knots and unknots in the context of classical, ideal fluid mechanics. We prove that the winding number — a topological invariant of torus knots — has a primary effect on vortex motion. This is done by applying the Moore-Saffman desingularization technique to the full Biot-Savart induction law, determining the influence of winding number on the 3 components of the induced velocity. Results have been obtained for 56 knots and unknots up to 51 crossings. In agreement with previous numerical results we prove that in general the propagation speed increases with the number of toroidal coils, but we notice that the number of poloidal coils may greatly modify the motion. Indeed we prove that for increasing aspect ratio and number of poloidal coils vortex motion can be even reversed, in agreement with previous numerical observations. These results demonstrate the importance of three-dimensional features in vortex dynamics and find useful applications to understand helicity and energy transfers across scales in vortical flows.

In this paper we determine the effects of winding number on the dynamics of vortex torus knots and unknots in the context of classical, ideal fluid mechanics. We prove that the winding number — a topological invariant of torus knots — has a primary effect on vortex motion. This is done by applying the Moore-Saffman desingularization technique to the full Biot-Savart induction law, determining the influence of winding number on the 3 components of the induced velocity. Results have been obtained for 56 knots and unknots up to 51 crossings. In agreement with previous numerical results we prove that in general the propagation speed increases with the number of toroidal coils, but we notice that the number of poloidal coils may greatly modify the motion. Indeed we prove that for increasing aspect ratio and number of poloidal coils vortex motion can be even reversed, in agreement with previous numerical observations. These results demonstrate the importance of three-dimensional features in vortex dynamics and find useful applications to understand helicity and energy transfers across scales in vortical flows.

A comprehensive study of geometric and topological properties of torus knots and unknots is presented. Torus knots/unknots are particularly symmetric, closed, space curves, that wrap the surface of a mathematical torus a number of times in the longitudinal and meridian direction. By using a standard parametrization, new results on local and global properties are found. In particular, we demonstrate the existence of inflection points for a given critical aspect ratio, determine the location and prescribe the regularization condition to remove the local singularity associated with torsion. Since to first approximation total length grows linearly with the number of coils, its nondimensional counterpart is proportional to the topological crossing number of the knot type. We analyze several global geometric quantities, such as total curvature, writhing number, total torsion, and geometric 'energies' given by total squared curvature and torsion, in relation to knot complexity measured by the winding number. We conclude with a brief presentation of research topics, where geometric and topological information on torus knots/unknots finds useful application.

A comprehensive study of geometric and topological properties of torus knots and unknots is presented. Torus knots/unknots are particularly symmetric, closed, space curves, that wrap the surface of a mathematical torus a number of times in the longitudinal and meridian direction. By using a standard parametrization, new results on local and global properties are found. In particular, we demonstrate the existence of inflection points for a given critical aspect ratio, determine the location and prescribe the regularization condition to remove the local singularity associated with torsion. Since to first approximation total length grows linearly with the number of coils, its nondimensional counterpart is proportional to the topological crossing number of the knot type. We analyze several global geometric quantities, such as total curvature, writhing number, total torsion, and geometric 'energies' given by total squared curvature and torsion, in relation to knot complexity measured by the winding number. We conclude with a brief presentation of research topics, where geometric and topological information on torus knots/unknots finds useful application.

By considering steady magnetic fields in the shape of torus knots and unknots in ideal magnetohydrodynamics, we compute some fundamental geometric and physical properties to provide estimates for magnetic energy and helicity. By making use of an appropriate parametrization, we show that knots with dominant toroidal coils that are a good model for solar coronal loops have negligible total torsion contribution to magnetic helicity while writhing number provides a good proxy. Hence, by the algebraic definition of writhe based on crossing numbers, we show that the estimated values of writhe based on image analysis provide reliable information for the exact values of helicity. We also show that magnetic energy is linearly related to helicity, and the effect of the confinement of magnetic field can be expressed in terms of geometric information. These results can find useful application in solar and plasma physics, where braided structures are often present.

Geometric and topological aspects associated with induction effects of field lines in the shape of torus knots/unknots are examined and discussed in detail. Knots are assumed to lie on a mathematical torus of circular cross-section and are parametrized by standard equations. The induced field is computed by direct integration of the Biot-Savart law. Field line patterns of the induced field are obtained and several properties are examined for a large family of knots/unknots up to 51 crossings. The intensity of the induced field at the origin of the reference system (center of the torus) is found to depend linearly on the number of toroidal coils and reaches maximum values near the boundary of the mathematical torus. New analytical estimates and bounds on energy and helicity are established in terms of winding number and minimum crossing number. These results find useful applications in several contexts when the source field is either vorticity, electric current or magnetic field, from vortex dynamics to astrophysics and plasma physics, where highly braided magnetic fields and currents are present.

Geometric and topological aspects associated with induction effects of field lines in the shape of torus knots/unknots are examined and discussed in detail. Knots are assumed to lie on a mathematical torus of circular cross-section and are parametrized by standard equations. The induced field is computed by direct integration of the Biot-Savart law. Field line patterns of the induced field are obtained and several properties are examined for a large family of knots/unknots up to 51 crossings. The intensity of the induced field at the origin of the reference system (center of the torus) is found to depend linearly on the number of toroidal coils and reaches maximum values near the boundary of the mathematical torus. New analytical estimates and bounds on energy and helicity are established in terms of winding number and minimum crossing number. These results find useful applications in several contexts when the source field is either vorticity, electric current or magnetic field, from vortex dynamics to astrophysics and plasma physics, where highly braided magnetic fields and currents are present.

In questa tesi si analizzano gli effetti di induzione di un campo sorgente stazionario nella forma di un filamento a nodo o non-nodo torico. Studi simili sono stati compiuti per geometrie rettilinee, circolari o elicoidali, ma poco o nulla è noto per geometrie e topologie più complesse. I nodi torici sono un raro esempio di curve spaziali chiuse con topologia non banale che ammettono una descrizione matematicamente semplice; per questo rappresentano un interessante caso da studiare. Inoltre, poiché i nodi torici sono anche un buon modello matematico per studiare strutture di campo intrecciate, questo lavoro offre utili informazioni per svariate applicazioni possibili, dalle scienze fisiche (fisica del sole e astrofisica, dinamica vorticosa, fisica della fusione) alla tecnologia (telecomunicazioni, progettazione di nuovi materiali, analisi di dati). Il lavoro è organizzato in 4 capitoli. Nel capitolo 1 presentiamo uno studio esaustivo di proprietà geometriche e topologiche dei nodi/non-nodi torici. Usando una parametrizzazione standard, dimostriamo l'esistenza e determiniamo la posizione di punti di flesso per una data configurazione critica, e prescriviamo la condizione per rimuovere la singolarità associata alla torsione nel punto di flesso. Mostriamo che in prima approssimazione la lunghezza cresce linearmente con il numero di avvolgimenti ed è proporzionale al numero minimo di incroci. Prendendo il numero di avvolgimento, definito come rapporto tra gli avvolgimenti meridiani e quelli longitudinali, come misura di complessità topologica, ne analizziamo l'influenza su varie proprietà globali, quali lunghezza, curvatura, torsione totale e distorsione. Nel capitolo 2 analizziamo l'influenza del numero di avvolgimento e di altre proprietà geometriche su induzione, energia ed elicità. Per far questo si assume che il filamento fisico abbia sezione trasversale infinitesima e si usa la legge di Biot-Savart adattata alla particolare parametrizzazione scelta. Si, The induction effects due to a steady source field in the shape of a torus knot or unknot filament are analysed in detail. Similar studies for rectilinear, circular or helical geometries have been done in the past, but very little is known for more complex geometries and topologies. Torus knots provide a rare example of closed, space curves of non-trivial topology, that admit a mathematically simple description; for this reason they represent an interesting case study to consider. Moreover, since torus knots are also a good mathematical model for studying braided field line structures, the present work provides useful information for a wide range of possible applications, from physical sciences (solar physics and astrophysics, vortex dynamics, fusion physics) to technology (telecommunication, new materials design, data analysis). The work is organized in 4 chapters. In chapter 1 we present a comprehensive study of geometric and topological properties of torus knots and unknots. By using a standard parametrization, we demonstrate the existence, and determine the location, of inection points for a given critical configuration, and prescribe the condition for removing the singularity associated with torsion at the inflection point. We show that, to first approximation, total length grows linearly with the number of coils, and it is proportional to the minimum crossing number of the knot type. By taking the winding number, given by the ratio between meridian and longitudinal wraps, as measure of topological complexity of the knot, we analyse its influence on several global quantities, such as total length, curvature, torsion and writhe. In chapter 2 we analyse the influence of the winding number and other geometric properties on induction, energy and helicity. This is done by assuming the physical filament of infinitesimally small cross-section and by using the Biot-Savart law adapted for the particular parametrization chosen. Field line patterns of the induced field ar