Transition to turbulence in experimental small-aspect Taylor-Couette flow*

Abstract: Taylor-Couette (TC) flow is a fluid system long studied for its diverse flow states and rich transitional behavior. Previous studies have examined extensively the flow behavior of large-aspect-ratio TC. However, small-aspect behavior is less well-studied, and to date the nature of the bifurcation in small-aspect counter-rotating flow at the turbulent transition is unknown. Here we consider counter-rotating Taylor-Couette (TC) flow in a small-aspect, wide-gap geometry ($\Gamma=1$, radius ratio $\eta=0.71$), and elucidate the bifurcation structure and flow states surrounding the turbulent transition as a function of both inner and outer Reynolds number.