Subcritical transition to turbulence in plane Couette flow

Abstract

The transition to turbulence in plane Couette flow was studied experimentally. The subcritical aspect of this transition is revealed by the stable coexistence of laminar and turbulent domains. By perturbing the flow, a critical Reynolds number has been determined, above which an artificially triggered turbulent spot can persist. The study of the spatiotemporal evolution of these spots shows, among other things, the existence of waves traveling away from the turbulent regions.