Topology of chaotic mixing patterns.

A stirring device consisting of a periodic motion of rods induces a mapping of the fluid domain to itself, which can be regarded as a homeomorphism of a punctured surface. Having the rods undergo a topologically complex motion guarantees at least a minimal amount of stretching of material lines, which is important for chaotic mixing. We use topological considerations to describe the nature of the injection of unmixed material into a central mixing region, which takes place at injection cusps. A topological index formula allow us to predict the possible types of unstable foliations that can arise for a fixed number of rods.