https://doi.org/10.1007/s100510050445
Spatio-temporal patterns in the thermoconvection of a planar nematic layer: II. Experiments
Laboratoire de Physique des Solides,
Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay Cedex, France
Corresponding author: a plaut@theo-phy.uni-bayreuth.de
Received:
1
December
1997
Revised:
25
May
1998
Accepted:
2
June
1998
Published online: 15 September 1998
We study experimentally the evolution of thermoconvection in a laterally extended planar nematic layer, at zero or weak stabilizing magnetic field. As the applied thermal gradient is increased, a cascade of symmetry breakings occurs, towards structures of increasing spatial complexity, and ultimately towards oscillating states. The patterns are characterized optically, and simple models for the distortion of the vertical (out of plane) component of the director field are proposed.
PACS: 47.54.+r – Pattern selection; pattern formation / 47.20.Bp – Buoyancy-driven instability / 42.70.Df – Surface-tension-driven instability
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 1998
