Light-induced self-synchronizing flow patterns

In this paper, we present the observation of light-induced selfsynchronizing flow patterns in a light–fluid system. A light beam induces local flow patterns in a fluid, which oscillate periodically or chaotically in time. The oscillations within different regions of the fluid interact with each other through heatand surface-tension-induced fluid waves, and they become synchronized. We demonstrate optical control over the state of synchronization and over the temporal correlation between different parts of the flow field. Finally, we provide a model to elucidate these results and we suggest further ideas on light controlling flow and vice versa. S Online supplementary data available from stacks.iop.org/NJP/13/053021/ mmedia 4 Author to whom any correspondence should be addressed. New Journal of Physics 13 (2011) 053021 1367-2630/11/053021+12$33.00 © IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft