A visual study of vortex-induced subcritical instability on a flat plate laminar boundary layer

Abstract

This paper reports results of our experimental investigation on flow instability on a flat plate laminar boundary layer caused by a "captive" vortex migrating far outside the boundary layer. Results show that the sign of the circulation associated with the vortex is the main determinant for the severity of the boundary layer instability. A captive vortex with an opposite sign to that of the unperturbed shear layer vorticity causes a breakdown ahead of it, while the one with the same sign as the unperturbed shear layer vorticity gives rise to weaker excitation trailing it. Additional parameters that influence the flow instability are the strength and distance of the vortical disturbance from the boundary layer, as well as the translational speed of the vortex. These experimental results compliment the corresponding theoretical analysis of Sengupta et al. (J Fluid Mech 493:277-286, 2003).