Phase dynamics in the Taylor–Couette system

Abstract

The phase dynamics of flows in the Taylor–Couette system have been studied by applying a forced modulation to the upper boundary of a large aspect ratio concentric cylinder system. In a one phase variable case, the Taylor vortex flow, the perturbations diffuse along the axial direction and the pattern’s response is well described by a simple diffusion model. In a two phase variable case, the wavy vortex flow, the perturbations either propagate as traveling waves or diffuse, depending on the coupling between the axial and azimuthal phase variables. In the turbulent Taylor vortex flow, where spatial coherence coexists with the turbulent flow, the phase dynamics of the coherent structure are described by a diffusion model with a diffusion coefficient an order of magnitude larger than for the laminar Taylor vortex flow.