Wave turbulence theory of odd fluids and solids: kinetic equations and solutions

Abstract

The theory of wave turbulence describes the properties of physical systems composed of a set of weak-amplitude random waves interacting nonlinearly. Here, we study odd wave turbulence, which arises in chiral media subjected to non-reciprocal stresses, notably odd viscosity and odd elasticity. In both cases, we consider simple models for which we can derive and solve analytically the kinetic equations describing the long-term statistical behavior of spectral quantities such as energy or wave action. For odd viscosity, we consider a three-dimensional model that exhibits wave turbulence involving three-wave interactions, which gives rise to a direct energy cascade characterized by an anisotropic Kolmogorov-Zakharov (KZ) spectrum. For odd elasticity, we consider a quasi-one-dimensional overdamped model that exhibits much slower dynamics involving six-wave interactions. In that case, the KZ spectrum corresponding to a forward cascade of a conserved quantity we call odd energy, is nonlocal and therefore does not constitute a physical solution. However, the other KZ solution, which describes an inverse cascade of wave action, is only marginally non-local and is therefore valid up to a logarithmic correction. These two analytical theories provide a rigorous interpretation of direct numerical simulations, where the KZ spectrum is observed both in the case of odd viscosity (forward cascade) and of odd elasticity (inverse cascade).