Effect of a horizontal magnetic field on convective instabilities in mercury

S. Fauve , C. Laroche , A. Libchaber

The effect of a horizontal magnetic field on the three-dimensional instabilities which occur in a Rayleigh-Bénard experiment with mercury is studied. When the magnetic field is parallel to the roll axis, the Busse oscillatory instability is inhibited, and the fluid motions become bidimensional. The high heat transport may be associated with an inertial convection mode.

Mots clés: convection in liquids; magnetohydrodynamics; mercury metal; Hg; horizontal magnetic field; convective instabilities; three dimensional instabilities; Rayleigh Benard experiment; roll axis; Busse oscillatory instability; fluid motions; bidimensional; high heat transport; inertial convection mode

Domaines: Articles anciens

S. Fauve, C. Laroche, A. Libchaber. Effect of a horizontal magnetic field on convective instabilities in mercury. Journal de Physique Lettres, 1981, 42 (21), pp.455-457. ⟨10.1051/jphyslet:019810042021045500⟩. ⟨jpa-00231972⟩