Abstract
The complex spatio-temporal dynamics generated by electrohydrodynamics instabilities in a nematic liquid crystal under the action of a driving oscillating electric field is investigated. Quasi-stationary convective structures which are visible at large scales are broken into chaotic patterns at higher driving voltages, thus generating small-scale structures. Scaling analysis reveals that these small-scale structures self-organize in a network of subleading structures which are reminescent of convective rolls. This network persists well inside the chaotic regimes, disappearing only at very high voltages, where stochastic dynamical scattering mode takes place.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
M.I. Rabinovich, A.B. Ezersky, P.D. Weidman, The Dynamics of Patterns (World Scientific, Singapore, 2000).
P.G. De Gennes, The Physics of Liquid Crystals (Oxford Science Pub., 1993).
L.M. Blinov, Electro-Optical and Magneto-Optical properties of Liquid Crystals (Wiley-Interscience, 1983).
E. Dubois-Violette, P.G. de Gennes, O. Parodi, J. Phys. (Paris) 32, 305 (1971).
W. Zimmermann, L. Kramer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 55, 402 (1985).
A. Joets, R. Ribotta, J. Phys. (Paris) 47, 595 (1986).
R. Ribotta, A. Joets, Phys. Rev. Lett. 56, 1595 (1986).
E. Bodenschatz, W. Zimmermann, L. Kramer, J. Phys. (Paris) 49, 1875 (1988).
F. Carbone et al., Europhys. Lett. 89, 46004 (2010).
S. Kai, M. Andoh, S. Yamaguchi, Phys. Rev. A 46, R7375 (1992).
S. Kai, W. Zimmermann, Phys. Rev. A 46, 4954 (1992).
P. Holmes, J.L. Lumley, G. Berkooz, Turbulence, Coherent Structures, Dynamical Systems and Symmetry (Cambridge University Press, 1996).
A. Vecchio et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 95, 061102 (2005).
S. Futatani, S. Benkadda, D. del-Castillo-Negrete, Phys. Plasmas 16, 042506 (2009).
A. Vecchio, L. Primavera, V. Carbone, L. Sorriso-Valvo, Solar Phys. 229, 359 (2005).
V. Carbone et al., Astron. Astrophys. 381, 265 (2002).
P.D. Mininni, D.O. Goméz, G.B. Mindlin, Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 061101 (2002).
M.F.A. Azez, A.F. Vakakis, J. Sound Vibr. 240, 859 (2001).
A. Vecchio et al., Solar Phys. 251, 163 (2008).
P.J.E. Vermeulen, D.P. Casasent, Opt. Eng. 30, 415 (1991).
S.B. Pope, Turbulent Flows (Cambridge University Press, 2000).
V. Carbone, P. Veltri, Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dyn. 52, 153 (1990).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Carbone, F., Vecchio, A. & Sorriso-Valvo, L. Spatio-temporal dynamics, patterns formation and turbulence in complex fluids due to electrohydrodynamics instabilities. Eur. Phys. J. E 34, 75 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2011-11075-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2011-11075-x