Pattern dynamics and heat transport in rotating Rayleigh-Benard convection.

Pattern dynamics and heat transport in moderate aspect ratio (Gamma=10) rotating Rayleigh-Benard convection are discussed. Patterns are obtained from shadowgraph visualization of the temperature field. Using 2-D Fourier transform analysis of the patterns, it is demonstrated that organized patterns with one dominant roll orientation produce greater thermal heat transport than do more disordered patterns generated by the Kuppers-Lortz instability and consisting of combinations of different roll orientations.