Experimental Evidence of Intermittencies Associated with a Subharmonic Bifurcation

Abstract

The first experimental observation is reported of type-III Pomeau-Manneville intermittencies in a hydrodynamical system: the Rayleigh-B\'enard instability studied in confined geometry. From optical measurements, return maps have been constructed and distribution of the laminar period lengths has been measured. These results are in complete agreement with the theoretical model.