Homology and symmetry breaking in Rayleigh-Benard convection: Experiments and simulations
Kapilanjan Krishan, Huseyin Kurtuldu, Michael F. Schatz, Marcio Gameiro, Konstantin Mischaikow
Abstract
Algebraic topology (homology) is used to analyze the weakly turbulent state of spiral defect chaos in both laboratory experiments and numerical simulations of Rayleigh-Benard convection.The analysis reveals topological asymmetries that arise when non-Boussinesq effects are present.