Formation of Dynamical Domains in a Circular Couette System

Novel flows between rotating concentric cylinders have been found in which domains of dynamically distinct behavior occur in spatially separate regions along the cylinders. Such flow states consist of Taylor vortices with a variety of secondary flows. The distinct secondary flows are correlated with variations in the axial wavelength of the vortex structure occurring over distances small compared with the system length. The results are compared with model systems that exhibit spatially nonuniform behavior and domain formation.