Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
Quasicrystalline and rational approximant wave patterns in hydrodynamic and quantum nested wells
1Instituto de Física Aplicada, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Serrano 144, 28006 Madrid, Spain.
This study explores wave patterns in nested wells, revealing quasicrystalline states and rational approximants in both hydrodynamic and quantum systems. These findings offer new insights into complex boundary geometries and their spectral properties.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Quantum Mechanics
Background:
- Nested wells with incommensurate boundary geometries present complex wave phenomena.
- Understanding these phenomena is crucial for both hydrodynamic and quantum systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically study eigenfunctions in nested wells with polygonal, incommensurate boundaries.
- To investigate wave patterns, including quasicrystalline states and rational approximants.
- To bridge the understanding between hydrodynamic and quantum frameworks for these systems.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of eigenfunctions in hydrodynamic shallow water and quantum regimes.
- Modeling nested wells with square or hexagonal boundaries and rotated immersed wells/plateaus.
- Examining wave patterns and their classification.
Main Results:
- Discovery of a rich taxonomy of wave patterns, including quasicrystalline states and their rational approximants.
- Identification of exotic tilings within the studied systems.
- First-time presentation of hydrodynamic rational approximants in a combined hydrodynamic-quantum framework.
Conclusions:
- The study establishes a link between complex boundary geometries and emergent wave patterns.
- The statistical distribution of energy level spacing reflects the identified wave pattern taxonomy.
- This work provides a novel perspective on the interplay between geometry and spectral properties in physical systems.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
The de Broglie Wavelength
Standing Waves in a Cavity
Partial Differential Equations
The Quantum-Mechanical Model of an Atom
Standing Waves
Interference and Diffraction

