Wavelength selection in Bénard-Marangoni convection

Abstract
The influence of the vessel form, the aspect ratio Γ, and the heating gradient on the wavelength-selection mechanism in a hexagonal pattern, corresponding to Bénard-Marangoni convection, are studied experimentally. The pattern changes in an almost continuous way and shows a wavelength increase when Γ becomes greater. The wavelengths for a container where Γ>70 and for an infinite extended layer are nearly identical.