Inviscid limit of vorticity distributions in Yudovich class

Abstract: We prove that given initial data $\omega_0\in L^\infty(\mathbb{T}^2)$, forcing $g\in L^\infty(0,T; L^\infty(\mathbb{T}^2))$, and any $T>0$, the solutions $u^\nu$ of Navier-Stokes converge strongly in $L^\infty(0,T;W^{1,p}(\mathbb{T}^2))$ for any $p\in [1,\infty)$ to the unique Yudovich weak solution $u$ of the Euler equations. A consequence is that vorticity distribution functions converge to their inviscid counterparts. As a byproduct of the proof, we establish continuity of the Euler solution map for Yudovich solutions in the $L^p$ vorticity topology. The main tool in these proofs is a uniformly controlled loss of regularity property of the linear transport by Yudovich solutions. Our results provide a partial foundation for the Miller--Robert statistical equilibrium theory of vortices as it applies to slightly viscous fluids.