Periodical patterns (bands) developing at the interface of two immiscible fluids under vibration parallel to interface are observed under zero-gravity conditions. Fluids are slightly below their liquid-vapor critical point where they behave in a scaled, universal manner. In addition, liquid and vapor densities are close and surface tension is very low. Linear stability analyses and direct numerical simulation show that this instability, although comparable to the frozen wave instability observed in a gravity field, is nonetheless noticeably different when gravity becomes zero. In particular, the neutral curve minimum corresponds to the long-wave perturbations with k=0 and zero dimensionless vibrational parameter, corresponding to no instability threshold. The pattern wavelength thus corresponds to the wavelength of the perturbations with maximal growth rate. This wavelength differs substantially from the neutral perturbations wavelength at the same vibrational parameter value. The role of viscosity is highlighted in the pattern formation, with a critical wavelength dependence on vibration parameters that strongly depends on viscosity. These results compare well with experimental observations performed in the liquid-vapor phases near the critical point of CO_{2} (in weightlessness) and H_{2} (under magnetic levitation).

Observations performed with CO 2 near its critical point onboard sounding rockets show that periodical patterns (bands) develop in a two-phase, liquid-vapor system under tangential vibrations in microgravity conditions. Fluids are slightly below their liquid-vapor critical point where liquid and vapor densities are close, surface tension is low, and they exhibit a scaled, universal behavior. With the increase of vibration amplitude, an instability can develop on the band pattern, leading to the appearance of Faraday waves. Theoretical and numerical investigations of the Faraday instability onset and development are carried out taking into account the interaction between the bands. The critical parameters for the onset of instability are determined. The comparisons between theoretical analysis, two-dimensional direct numerical simulation, and original experimental data show good agreement.

Thispaper deals with the direct numerical simulation of quasi-stationary (frozen) wave formation at the interface of two immiscible fluids with large viscosity contrast, in a rectangular container subjected to the horizontal vibrations of finite frequency and amplitude. The critical conditions for the originationof a frozen wave as well as the dependences of thefrozen wave height and wavelength on the vibration intensity are obtained. The time-evolution of theinterface shape during the vibration period is analyzed. Numerical results are found to be in a good agreement with known experimental and linear stability results. The average deformation of the interface and the structure of average flows are calculated for different vibration intensities. It is shown that achange inthe dependencies of thefrozen wave characteristics on the vibration intensity follows achange inaverage flow structure.