Transitions between patterns in thermal convection

Eberhard Bodenschatz, John R. de Bruyn, Guenter Ahlers, and David S. Cannell
Phys. Rev. Lett. 67, 3078 – Published 25 November 1991
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Abstract

We present experimental studies of the transitions between conduction, hexagons, and rolls in non-Boussinesq convection of gaseous CO2 in a cylindrical cell of radius-to-height ratio 86. Except for the transition from conduction to hexagons, transitions occur when the two states involved have nearly the same value of a generalized potential rather than at the stability limits. Conduction gives way to hexagons via the propagation of a front connecting the two states, while the transitions between hexagons and rolls are facilitated at the cell walls which appear to nucleate the minority state.

  • Received 5 August 1991

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.67.3078

©1991 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Eberhard Bodenschatz, John R. de Bruyn, Guenter Ahlers, and David S. Cannell

  • Department of Physics and Center for Nonlinear Science, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106
  • Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada A1B 3X7

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Issue

Vol. 67, Iss. 22 — 25 November 1991

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