INJECTED POWER FLUCTUATIONS IN ELECTROCONVECTION

Tibor Toth-Katona, James T. Gleeson

Kent State University

Fluctuations of the injected power in electroconvection (EHC) of nematic liquid crystals have been measured in both conductive and dielectric regime of convection. The amplitude and the spectra of the fluctuations, as well as the probability density functions (PDF) have been compared in these two regimes and substantial differences have been found both in defect turbulence of EHC and at the anisotropic $\rightarrow$ isotropic (DSM1 $\rightarrow$ DSM2) turbulence transition.

Results obtained in open-, and in closed flow geometry have been also compared and systematic differences have been found in the PDF of fluctuation between the two geometries.

Work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant DMR-9988614.