Experimental investigation of thermocapillary convection induced by a local temperature inhomogeneity near the liquid surface. 1. Solid source of heat

The structure and stability of a thermocapillary flow from a concentrated source of heat located near the free surface of the liquid filling a deep reservoir are experimentally studied. For a certain power of the heat source, oscillatory instability leading to formation of surface waves is observed. Possible mechanisms of the observed instability are discussed.