Double diffusive finger convection at the top of the core

我们预计在地核的顶部会有一层，在这层中，化学成分的梯度驱动对流，而温度梯度则与之相反。在海洋中也经常会遇到类似的情况，在海洋中，盐度驱动对流，而温度分层则阻碍了对流。盐指出现在这种情况下，这是细长的结构，其中流体移动，尽管稳定的密度分层。在地球的核心也有类似的流动，除了地球的自转可能对核心对流有影响，而对海洋中的指状对流则基本无关。该项目利用实验室实验来确定全球旋转对指状对流的影响及其对地核的可能后果。

We expect a layer at the top of the Earth's core in which gradients in chemical composition drive convection while the temperature gradient opposes it. A similar situation is frequently met in the oceans, in which salinity drives convection which is impeded by the temperature layering. Salt fingers appear in this case, which are slender structures in which fluid moves despite a stable density stratification. A similar flow must be expected in the Earth's core, except that the rotation of the Earth presumably matters for core convection whereas it is mostly irrelevant for finger convection in the oceans. This project uses laboratory experiments to determine the effect of global rotation on finger convection and its possible consequences for the Earth's core.