Period stabilization in the Busse-Heikes model of the Kuppers-Lortz instability

The Busse-Heikes dynamical model is described in terms of relaxational and non-relaxational dynamics. Within this dynamical picture a diverging altern ating period is calculated in a reduced dynamics given by a time-dependent Hamiltonian with decreasing energy. A mean period is calculated which resul ts from noise stabilization of a mean energy. The consideration of spatial- dependent amplitudes leads to vertex formation. The competition of front mo tion around the vertices and the Kuppers-Lortz instability in determining a n alternating period is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.