title: Instabilities, bifurcations, and multiple solutions in expanding channel flows.
abstract: We present an experimental realization of the classical Jeffery-Hamel flows inside a wedge-shaped channel. We compare the measured velocity fields with the predictions of Jeffery-Hamel theory. A detailed experimental study of bifurcation diagrams for the solutions reveals the absolute stability of the pure outflow solution and an interesting hysteretic structure for bifurcations. We also observe a multiple-vortex flow regime predicted earlier numerically and analytically.
authors.affiliation: Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA.
authors.forename: Vakhtang
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Putkaradze
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vorobieff