Hexagons become second if symmetry is broken

Abstract

Pattern formation on the free surface of a magnetic fluid subjected to a magnetic field is investigated experimentally. By tilting the magnetic field the symmetry can be broken in a controllable manner. When increasing the amplitude of the tilted field, the flat surface gives way to liquid ridges. A further increase results in a hysteretic transition to a pattern of stretched hexagons. The instabilities are detected by means of a linear array of magnetic hall sensors and compared with theoretical predictions.

accepted for publication by Physical Review E/Rapid Communication

References in corpus (1)

• Pattern formation in inclined layer convection

Cited by in corpus (6)

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• Magnetic traveling-stripe-forcing: enhanced transport in the advent of the Rosensweig instability
• A note on the magnetic spatial forcing of a ferrofluid layer