Diversity and Complexity of Patterns in Nonequilibrium Systems — Pattern Formation in Electrohydrodynamic Instability —

Abstract

Pattern formation in nonequilibrium dissipative systems has attracted the interest of scientists for a long time, which is a very common phenomenon frequently observed in nature and shows rich diversity and complexity. The outline of their concept, classification and hierarchy is briefly discussed in general. As a concrete example, the electrohydrodynamic pattern formation in liquid crystals is introduced. It shows rich variety of phenomena and is easily accessible to various patterns by application of an ac voltage. Physics of the electrohydrodynamics, and their diversity and variety of pattern formation are described.