title: Scaling and asymmetry in an electromagnetically forced dipolar flow structure.
abstract: A dipolar flow structure is experimentally studied in a layer of salt solution driven by time-independent electromagnetic forcing. In particular, the response of the flow to the forcing is quantified by measuring the Reynolds number Re as a function of the Chandrasekhar number Ch (the ratio of Lorentz forces to viscous forces) and δ (the ratio of vertical to horizontal length scales of the flow domain). In agreement with theoretical predictions, two scaling regimes are found: Re~Ch/π(2) (viscous regime) and Re~Ch(1/2)δ(-1) (advective regime). The transition between the two regimes at Ch(1/2)δ~π(2) is reflected in the flow geometry in the form of an asymmetry of the dipolar flow structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Physics & J.M. Burgers Center, Eindhoven University of Technology, P. O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duran-Matute
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Trieling
authors.forename: G J F
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: van Heijst