Competition of periodic and homogeneous modes in extended dynamical systems.
Despite their simple structure, spatially homogeneous modes can participate directly in pattern-formation processes. This is demonstrated by new experimental and theoretical results for thermo- and electroconvection in planar nematic liquid crystals, where two distinct homogeneous modes, twist and splay distortions of the director field, emerge. Their nonlinear excitation is due to certain spontaneous symmetry-breaking bifurcations.
Dressel
B
B
Physikalisches Institut der Universität Bayreuth, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
Joets
A
A
Pastur
L
L
Pesch
W
W
Plaut
E
E
Ribotta
R
R