Taylor vortices in short fluid columns with large radius ratio

The formation of Taylor vortices after sudden starts of the inner cylinder has been studied experimentally in fluid columns with aspect ratios Γ=3.0, 3.25, 3.5, and 3.75, with radius ratio η=0.605, bounded by resting top and bottom boundaries. It has been found that the aspect ratio of the column has a profound effect on the number of Taylor vortices formed in the column. Anomalous three-vortex flows have been found with Γ=3.0, 3.25, and 3.75, but not with Γ=3.5. Anomalous three-vortex flows do not form directly after a sudden start, but originate from the decay of anomalous four-vortex patterns with Γ=3.0 and Γ=3.25, and from six-vortex patterns with Γ=3.75.