Return to Colloquia & Seminar listing
Spontaneous symmetry-breaking and pattern formation
Colloquium| Speaker: | Prof. Mary Silber, Northwestern Univ. |
| Location: | 693 Kerr |
| Start time: | Mon, Oct 9 2000, 4:10PM |
Description
I will review the application of equivariant bifurcation theory to pattern
formation problems. As a case study I'll focus on parametrically excited
surface wave patterns. These form on the free surface of a layer of fluid
when it is subjected to a vertical vibration. In particular I will show
how results of bifurcation theory apply to a variety of beautiful standing
wave patterns that have been observed recently in laboratory experiments.