IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL PATTERN PROPERTIES IN SPIRAL DEFECT CHAOS

analyze experimental data from Rayleigh-Benard convection in a large a spect ratio cell using a new, efficient method applicable to disordere d striped patterns from biological, chemical, optical, and fluid syste ms. We present statistics of various local pattern properties such as the local wave-vector magnitude, local pattern orientation, and defect densities. Using these statistics, we provide quantitative evidence d emonstrating that the stability boundaries derived for infinite system s are applicable to local patches within disordered patterns. We also present the first experimental observation of multiple length scales w ithin spiral defect chaos.