Flow mode and global transport of liquid metal thermal convection in a cavity with Γ=1/3

In this experimental investigation we examine the dynamics of liquid metal thermal convection within an elongated cuboid cell with aspect ratio 1/3. We highlight the evolution of flow modes, transitioning from single- to double-roll mode, and transitional modes which are reconstructed by visualizing temperature data on the sidewall. As the Rayleigh number surpasses the critical value, the flow state transforms from a multiple-mode coexistence state to a single-roll mode-dominated configuration. Flow modes and global transport properties offer profound insights into the fundamental characteristics of thermal convection in liquid metals under strong lateral geometric confinement.