Abstract

In low-density axisymmetric jets, the onset of global instability is known to depend on three control parameters, namely the jet-to-ambient density ratio $S$, the initial momentum thickness $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}$ and the Reynolds number $Re$. For sufficiently low values of $S$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}$, these jets bifurcate from a steady state (a fixed point) to a self-excited oscillatory state (a limit cycle) when $Re$ increases above a critical value corresponding to the Hopf point, $Re_{H}$. In the literature, this Hopf bifurcation is often regarded as supercritical. In this experimental study, however, we find that under some conditions, there exists a hysteretic bistable region at $Re_{SN}<Re<Re_{H}$, where $Re_{SN}$ denotes a saddle-node point. This shows that, contrary to expectations, the Hopf bifurcation can also be subcritical, which we explore by evaluating the coefficients of a truncated Landau model. The existence of subcritical bifurcations implies the potential for triggering and the need for weakly nonlinear analyses to be performed to at least fifth order if one is to be able to predict saturation and bistability. We conclude by proposing a universal scaling for $Re_{H}$ in terms of $S$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D703}_{0}$. This scaling, which is insensitive to the super/subcritical nature of the bifurcations, can be used to predict the onset of self-excited oscillations, providing further evidence to support Hallberg & Strykowski’s concept (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 569, 2006, pp. 493–507) of universal global modes in low-density jets.

Low-density jets are central to many natural and industrial processes. Under certain conditions, they can develop global oscillations at a limit cycle, behaving as a prototypical example of a self-excited hydrodynamic oscillator. In this study, we perform system identification of a low-density jet using measurements of its noise-induced dynamics in the unconditionally stable regime, prior to both the Hopf and saddle-node points. We show that this approach can enable prediction of (i) the order of nonlinearity, (ii) the locations and types of the bifurcation points (and hence the stability boundaries) and (iii) the resulting limit-cycle oscillations. The only assumption made about the system is that it obeys a Stuart–Landau equation in the vicinity of the Hopf point, thus making the method applicable to a variety of hydrodynamic systems. This study constitutes the first experimental demonstration of system identification using the noise-induced dynamics in only the unconditionally stable regime, i.e. away from the regimes where limit-cycle oscillations may occur. This opens up new possibilities for the prediction and analysis of the stability and nonlinear behaviour of hydrodynamic systems.