Chaotic domain structure in rotating convection

Rotating convection near onset is studied using a three mode model but with the inclusion of spatial dependence. An apparently chaotic dynamics is found, consistent with experiment, without the necessity of adding ad hoc noise terms as in previous models. There is no phase transition approaching the point of linear instability of straight rolls from the disordered side, and the characteristic domain size and switching time remain finite here. This behavior is discussed in terms of the velocity of walls between the different domains.