Surface tension-driven convection patterns in two liquid layers
Abstract
Two superposed liquid layers display a variety of convective phenomena that are inaccessible in the traditional system where the upper layer is a gas. We consider several pairs of immiscible liquids. Once the liquids have been selected, the applied temperature difference and the depths of the layers are the only independent control parameters. Using a perfluorinated hydrocarbon and silicone oil system, we have made the first experimental observation of convection with the top plate hotter than the lower plate. Since the system is stably stratified, this convective flow is solely due to thermocapillary forces. We also have found oscillatory convection at onset in an acetonitrile and n-hexane system heated from below.
Cite
@article{arxiv.patt-sol/9911004,
title = {Surface tension-driven convection patterns in two liquid layers},
author = {Anne Juel and John M. Burgess and W. D. McCormick and J. B. Swift and Harry L. Swinney},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:patt-sol/9911004},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
24 pages, 17 figures, submitted for the the special issue of Physica D to be entitled "Bifurcations, Patterns and Symmetry: selected papers dedicated to the memory of John David Crawford"