TRANSPORT IN 3D VOLUME-PRESERVING FLOWS

The idea of surfaces of locally minimal flux is introduced as a key co ncept for understanding transport in steady three-dimensional, volume- preserving flows. Particular attention is paid to the role of the skel eton formed by the equilibrium points, selected hyperbolic periodic or bits and cantori and connecting orbits, to which many surfaces of loca lly minimal flux can be attached. Applications are given to spheromaks (spherical vortices) and eccentric Taylor-Couette Flow.