Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
Stabilization of domain walls between traveling waves by nonlinear mode coupling in Taylor-Couette flow
M Heise1, Ch Hoffmann, J Abshagen
1Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, Universität Kiel, D-24098 Kiel, Germany.
Abstract:
We present a new mechanism that allows the stable existence of domain walls between oppositely traveling waves in pattern-forming systems far from onset. It involves a nonlinear mode coupling that results directly from the nonlinearities in the underlying momentum balance. Our work provides the first observation and explanation of such strongly nonlinearly driven domain walls that separate structured states by a phase generating or annihilating defect. Furthermore, the influence of a symmetry breaking externally imposed flow on the wave domains and the domain walls is studied. The results are obtained for vortex waves in the Taylor-Couette system by combining numerical simulations of the full Navier-Stokes equations and experimental measurements.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Couette Flow
Steady, Laminar Flow Between Parallel Plates
Standing Waves in a Cavity
Modes of Standing Waves: II
For a tube open at one end and closed at the other filled with air, the modes are such that there is always an antinode at the open end and a node at the closed end.
Modes of Standing Waves - I
Steady, Laminar Flow in Circular Tubes

