The disturbance of thermosolutal convection by g-jitter

Wheeler, A.A. and Murray, B.T. (1998) The disturbance of thermosolutal convection by g-jitter. Microgravity Science and Technology, 11 (3), 96-100.

Record type: Article

Abstract

n this paper we review the disturbance of thermosolutal convection by g-jitter in two configurations (1) a horizontal layer of fluid and (2) directional solidification. We find that in both situations g-jitter provides a rich dynamical response resulting in both synchronous and asynchronous modes as well as resonant behaviour. It may act to both stabilise or destabilise the system, with the precise response depending on the parameter regime. Our knowledge of the response of thermosolutal convection in the presence of periodic acceleration is very limited. The results presented here, albeit limited in extent, suggest that the response of the system is rich and complex and not easily predictable. In view of this, further carefully coordinated modelling and experimentation (in both terrestrial gravity and microgravity) is necessary to characterise and effectively control this behaviour based upon a sound understanding of the underlying fundamental physical mechanisms.

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