Polygons on a Rotating Fluid Surface

Thomas R. N. Jansson, Martin P. Haspang, Kåre H. Jensen, Pascal Hersen, and Tomas Bohr
Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 174502 – Published 3 May 2006; Erratum Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 049901 (2007)

Abstract

We report a novel and spectacular instability of a fluid surface in a rotating system. In a flow driven by rotating the bottom plate of a partially filled, stationary cylindrical container, the shape of the free surface can spontaneously break the axial symmetry and assume the form of a polygon rotating rigidly with a speed different from that of the plate. With water, we have observed polygons with up to 6 corners. It has been known for many years that such flows are prone to symmetry breaking, but apparently the polygonal surface shapes have never been observed. The creation of rotating internal waves in a similar setup was observed for much lower rotation rates, where the free surface remains essentially flat [J. M. Lopez et al., J. Fluid Mech. 502, 99 (2004).]. We speculate that the instability is caused by the strong azimuthal shear due to the stationary walls and that it is triggered by minute wobbling of the rotating plate.

  • Figure
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  • Received 1 December 2005

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.96.174502

©2006 American Physical Society

Erratum

Erratum: Polygons on a Rotating Fluid Surface [Phys. Rev. Lett.PRLTAO0031-9007 96, 174502 (2006)]

Thomas R. N. Jansson, Martin P. Haspang, Kåre H. Jensen, Pascal Hersen, and Tomas Bohr
Phys. Rev. Lett. 98, 049901 (2007)

Authors & Affiliations

Thomas R. N. Jansson1,2, Martin P. Haspang1,2, Kåre H. Jensen1,2, Pascal Hersen1, and Tomas Bohr1

  • 1Physics Department, The Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
  • 2The Niels Bohr Institute, Blegdamsvej 17, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

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Issue

Vol. 96, Iss. 17 — 5 May 2006

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