Rotational and Translational Characteristics of Topological Vortices and Antivortices Based on Perspectives from Loops and Knots (3)

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3. Translational Characteristics of Topological Vortices and Antivortices

3.1 Translational Motion and Description via Knot Theory

The translational motion of vortices and antivortices can be effectively described by knot theory. This theory focuses on the continuous deformation of vortex trajectories in spacetime, where translational motion corresponds to the overall propagation of these trajectories. Using the optical vortex ring as an example, the translational characteristics of its trajectory can be characterized by the kinking number. Changes in the kinking number reflect the strength of interaction between vortex-antivortex pairs: pairs translating in the same direction tend to form stable knotted structures, while pairs translating in opposite directions may lose stability or even annihilate due to trajectory crossing.

3.2 Coupling Mechanism between Translation and Rotation

There is a significant coupling effect between the translational and rotational behaviors of vortices and antivortices. For instance, in quantum condensed matter systems, the translational velocity of a vortex-antivortex pair is often closely related to its rotational angular velocity. Such coupling behavior can be described by topological dynamical models, where translational motion can be driven by the angular velocity gradient, and changes in rotational motion are fed back through the kinking number. This coupling mechanism can induce a wealth of dynamical phenomena, such as the formation of complex topological structures like Möbius strips.