Dynamics of three-tori in a periodically forced navier-stokes flow

Three-tori solutions of the Navier-Stokes equations and their dynamics are elucidated by use of a global Poincare map. The flow is contained in a finite annular gap between two concentric cylinders, driven by the steady rotation and axial harmonic oscillations of the inner cylinder. The three-tori solutions undergo global bifurcations, including a new gluing bifurcation, associated with homoclinic and heteroclinic connections to unstable solutions (two-tori). These unstable two-tori act as organizing centers for the three-tori dynamics. A discrete space-time symmetry influences the dynamics.