Evidence for solitary wave behavior in Marangoni–Bénard convection

Abstract

Recent studies have elucidated the possibility of solitary wave behavior in Marangoni–Bénard instability flows. The present paper takes a look at experiments in both heat-transfer- and mass-transfer-driven Marangoni systems to discern nonlinear behavior of the type associated with solitary wave interactions. Direct observation of phase shifts incurred by two Marangoni waves having undergone a head-on collision are reported. Analysis of experiments exhibiting wave reflection at a solid wall and obliquely interacting waves in Marangoni instability flows also show remarkable similarities with nonlinear behavior in Korteweg–de Vries systems.