Convection in a low Prandtl number fluid layer rotating about a vertical axis

Two- and three-dimensional convection flows in a horizontal layer of a low Prandtl number fluid heated from below and rotating about a vertical axis are studied numerically with a Galerkin method. Solutions for subcritical steady finite amplitude convection and convection in the form of standing oscillations are obtained. Parameter regimes that appear to be attainable in laboratory experiments have been emphasized. The stability of subcritical two-dimensional steady convection has been investigated and three-dimensional chaotic states of convection have been found. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.