Finite amplitude cellular convection induced by surface tension

A non-linear analysis of cellular convection driven by surface tension in a semi-infinite liquid layer heated from below has been made. The purpose is to determine whether or not one can predict the emergence of the hexagonal flow pattern from the interaction of a certain large class of important disturbances. The principal conclusion is that, compared with gravity driven convection, there is generally a much greater band of imposed temperature difference associated with hexagonal convective patterns. Partial results for the more realistic assumption of finite depth support this conclusion.