Convection patterns in large aspect ratio systems

Abstract A theory, which should have widespread application, is developed to treat the statics and slow dynamics of patterns of convective rolls encountered in large aspect ratio Rayleigh-Benard boxes. For case of presentation the theory is developed using model equations. Wavenumber selection, the shape of patterns, stability and the time dependence resulting from long wavelength instabilities are discussed. The effects of adding the local mean drift important in low Prandtl number situations are investigated. Our theory includes the notion of the Busse stability balloon, reduces near critical values of the stress parameter to the Newell-Whitehead-Segel equations, and contains the Pomeau-Manneville phase equation. It also gives a detailed description of the way in which the field amplitude, which is slaved to the phase gradient away from threshold, becomes an independent order parameter near the critical point.