Localized modulation of rotating waves in Taylor-Couette flow

We report the results of an experimental study on the multiplicity of states in Taylor-Couette flow as a result of axial localization of azimuthally rotating waves. Localized states have been found to appear hysteretically from time-dependent Taylor-Couette flow at Reynolds numbers significantly above the onset of wavy Taylor vortices. These localized states have the shape of a modulated rotating wave and differ significantly from global modulated wavy Taylor vortex states in their spatial characteristics. Axial localization of rotating waves is accompanied with a significant increase in size of the underlying pair of Taylor vortices. Our work reveals that localization provides a mechanism for the appearance of multiple time-dependent states in Taylor-Couette flow.