Transitions between steady states, traveling waves, and modulated waves in the system water-isopropanol heated from below

Using high-resolution laser Doppler velocimetry, we have experimentally obtained comprehensive results concerning the oscillatory onset of free convection (relevant critical Rayleigh numbers and the associated periods of oscillations are in agreement with theoretical predictions), the stable monoperiodic oscillatory states (traveling waves) just past the critical point, and the transition towards steady states for greater Rayleigh numbers. Our most striking result is obtaining, when decreasing the imposed Rayleigh number below the critical point, stable biperiodic oscillatory states (modulated traveling waves).