A systems theory approach to the feedback stabilization of infinitesimal and finite-amplitude disturbances in plane Poiseuille flow

A systems theory framework is presented for the linear stabilization of two-dimensional laminar plane Poiseuille flow. The governing linearized Navier-Stokes equations are converted to control-theoretic models using a numerical discretization scheme. Fluid system poles, which are closely related to Orr-Sommerfeld eigenvalues, and fluid system zeros are computed using the control-theoretic models. It is shown that the location of system zeros, in addition to the well-studied system eigenvalues, are important in linear stability control. The location of system zeros determines the effect of feedback control on both stable and unstable eigenvalues. In addition, system zeros can be used to determine sensor locations that lead to simple feedback control schemes. Feedback controllers are designed that make a new fluid-actuator-sensor-controller system linearly stable. Feedback control is shown to be robust to a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The systems theory concepts of modal controllability and observability are used to show that feedback control can lead to short periods of high-amplitude transients that are unseen at the output. These transients may invalidate the linear model, stimulate nonlinear effects, and/or form a path of 'bypass' transition in a controlled system. Numerical simulations are presented to validate the stabilization of both single-wavenumber and multiple-wavenumber instabilities. Finally, it is shown that a controller designed upon linear theory also has a strong stabilizing effect on two-dimensional finite-amplitude disturbances. As a result, secondary instabilities due to infinitesimal three-dimensional disturbances in the presence of a finite-amplitude two-dimensional disturbance cease to exist.