# Lamellar vector field

(Redirected from Lamellar field)

In vector analysis and in fluid dynamics, a lamellar vector field is a vector field with no rotational component. That is, if the field is denoted as v, then

[itex] \nabla \times \mathbf{v} = 0 [itex].

A lamellar field is practically synonymous with an irrotational field. The adjective "lamellar" derives from the noun "lamella", which means a thin layer. In Latin, lamella is the diminutive of lamina (but do not confuse with laminar flow).

A lamellar field can be represented as the gradient of a scalar potential (see irrotational field):

[itex] \mathbf{v} = \nabla \phi [itex].

The lamellae to which "lamellar flow" refers are the surfaces of constant potential. In a given interval of time, all the fluid in a given layer of constant potential will move to another layer of constant potential.

A lamellar field which is also solenoidal is a Laplacian field.

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