Microgravity experiments on thermomagnetic convection in magnetic fluids

Abstract

We have investigated the onset and the flow profile of thermomagnetic convection in a cylindrical fluid layer. Under microgravity conditions provided by the use of sounding rockets and at the drop tower ‘Bremen’ (ZARM, University of Bremen, Germany) the experiments could be carried out with periodic boundary conditions in which the vertical force of gravity, that normally produces three-dimensional flow, is made negligible, thus permitting the establishment of counter-rotating vortices.