Long-Time Dynamics for the Kelvin-Helmholtz Equations Close to Circular Vortex Sheets

We consider the Kelvin-Helmholtz system describing the evolution of a vortex-sheet near the circular stationary solution. Answering previous numerical conjectures in the 1990s physics literature, we prove an almost global existence result for small-amplitude solutions. We first establish the existence of a linear stability threshold for the Weber number, which represents the ratio between the square of the background velocity jump and the surface tension. Then, we prove that, for almost all values of the Weber number below this threshold, any small solution lives for almost all times, remaining close to the equilibrium. Our analysis reveals a remarkable stabilization phenomenon: the presence of both non-zero background velocity jump and capillarity effects enables us to prevent nonlinear instability phenomena, despite the inherently unstable nature of the classical Kelvin-Helmholtz problem. This long-time existence would not be achievable in a setting where capillarity alone provides linear stabilization, without the richer modulation induced by the velocity jump. Our proof exploits the Hamiltonian nature of the equations. More specifically, we employ Hamiltonian Birkhoff normal form techniques for quasi-linear systems together with a general approach for paralinearization of non-linear singular integral operators. This approach allows us to control resonances and quasi-resonances at arbitrary order, ensuring the desired long-time stability result.