Angular Momentum Transport in Turbulent Flow between Independently Rotating Cylinders

We present measurements of the angular momentum flux (torque) in Taylor-Couette flow of water between independently rotating cylinders for all regions of the (Ω₁, Ω₂) parameter space at high Reynolds numbers, where Ω₁ (Ω₂) is the inner (outer) cylinder angular velocity. We find that the Rossby number Ro=(Ω₁-Ω₂)/Ω₂ fully determines the state and torque G as compared to G(Ro=∞)≡G_∞. The ratio G/G_∞ is a linear function of Ro^-1 in four sections of the parameter space. For flows with radially increasing angular momentum, our measured torques greatly exceed those of previous experiments [Ji et al., Nature (London), 444, 343 (2006)], but agree with the analysis of Richard and Zahn [Astron. Astrophys. 347, 734 (1999)].