Asymmetric Squares as Standing Waves in Rayleigh-Benard Convection

Abstract

Possibility of asymmetric square convection is investigated numerically using a few mode Lorenz-like model for thermal convection in Boussinesq fluids confined between two stress free and conducting flat boundaries. For relatively large value of Rayleigh number, the stationary rolls become unstable and asymmetric squares appear as standing waves at the onset of secondary instability. Asymmetric squares, two dimensional rolls and again asymmetric squares with their corners shifted by half a wavelength form a stable limit cycle.