Anomalous Self-Similarity in a Turbulent Rapidly Rotating Fluid

Our velocity measurements on quasi-two-dimensional turbulent flow in a rapidly rotating annulus yield self-similar (scale-independent) probability distribution functions for longitudinal velocity differences, [Formula presented]. These distribution functions are strongly non-Gaussian, suggesting that the coherent vortices play a significant role. The structure functions [Formula presented] exhibit anomalous scaling: [Formula presented] rather than the expected [Formula presented]. Correspondingly, the energy spectrum is described by [Formula presented] rather than the expected [Formula presented].