Experimental Analysis of the Instability of the Boundary Layer over a Rotating Disk

Abstract

The instability of the boundary layer of the flow over a rotating disk is experimentally investigated. In the framework of the linear analysis, spatial growth rates of spiral Tollmien-Schlichting type waves are measured via hot-film anemometry. The curve of marginal stability is measured for the first time and then compared to a numerical one calculated in a previous work. The complexification of the flow towards turbulence is also briefly described.