Bifurcation and chaos in zero Prandtl number convection

We present the detailed bifurcation structure and associated flow patterns near the onset of zero Prandtl number Rayleigh Bénard convection. We employ both direct numerical simulation and a low-dimensional model ensuring qualitative agreement between the two. Various flow patterns originate from a stationary square observed at a higher Rayleigh number through a series of bifurcations starting from a pitchfork followed by a Hopf and finally a homoclinic bifurcation as the Rayleigh number is reduced to the critical value. Global chaos, intermittency, and crises are observed near the onset.

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