On a Tollmien-Schlichting wave packet produced by a turbulent spot

Abstract
Experimental investigations in the region following the passage of an isolated turbulent spot in a laminar boundary layer reveal the existence of a pair of oblique wave packets. These packets are swept at an angle of approximately 40°, and exhibit frequency and wave speed characteristics in agreement with predictions made for oblique Tollmien-Schlichting waves. No waves exist near the centreline of the spot.Several observations of the breakdown of this ordered motion into a new turbulent spot are shown. This breakdown is accompanied by the appearance of an intense shear layer inclined to the wall.

This publication has 15 references indexed in Scilit: