WAVELENGTH DOUBLING CASCADE TO MOBIUS DEFECT TURBULENCE IN A 3D ANISOTROPIC LIQUID

The following wavelength doubling cascade from a uniform state to a tu rbulent pattern is observed in a 3D anisotropic liquid: First oscillat ing convective rolls followed by a stationary stripe pattern, then Mob ius defect creation stabilizing an unusual curved roll pattern that ev entually becomes turbulent. Once created, Mobius defects are topologic ally trapped and the initial uniform state is not recovered. The syste m experimentally investigated is electroconvection above a highly nonl inear base state.