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Rotating Rayleigh-Benard convection: Aspect-ratio dependence of the initial bifurcations

Journal Article · · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States)
;  [1]
  1. Physics Division and Center for Nonlinear Studies, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 (United States)

The initial bifurcations in rotating Rayleigh-Benard convection are studied in the range of dimensionless rotation rate 0[lt][Omega][lt]2150 for a cylindrical cell with an aspect ratio of 2.5. We used simultaneous optical-shadowgraph, heat-transport, and local-temperature measurements to determine the stability and characteristics of the azimuthally periodic wall convection state. We also show that the second transition corresponds to the onset of bulk convection. Our results for critical Rayleigh numbers, precession frequencies, and critical mode numbers agree well with theoretical results. The dynamics of the wall convection state can be described by a complex Ginzburg-Landau amplitude equation.

OSTI ID:
6772401
Journal Information:
Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States), Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics; (United States) Vol. 47:5; ISSN 1063-651X; ISSN PLEEE8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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