Transient behavior between multi-cell flow states in ferrofluidic Taylor-Couette flow

We investigate transient behaviors induced by magnetic fields on the dynamics of the flow of a ferrofluid in the gap between two concentric, independently rotating cylinders. Without applying any magnetic fields, we uncover emergence of flow states constituted by a combination of a localized spiral state in the top and bottom of the annulus and different multi-cell flow states with toroidally closed vortices in the interior of the bulk. However, when a magnetic field is presented, we observe the transient behaviors between multi-cell states passing through two critical thresholds in a strength of an axial (transverse) magnetic field. Before the first critical threshold of a magnetic field strength, multi-stable states with different number of cells could be observed. After the first critical threshold, we find the transient behavior between the three- and two-cell flow states. For more strength of magnetic field or after the second critical threshold, we discover that multi-cell states are disappeared and a localized spiral state remains to be stimulated. The studied transient behavior could be understood by the investigation of various quantities including a modal kinetic energy, a mode amplitude of the radial velocity, wavenumber, angular momentum, and torque. In addition, the emergence of new flow states and the transient behavior between their states in ferrofluidic flows indicate that richer and potentially controllable dynamics through magnetic fields could be possible in ferrofluic flow.