Large-scale flows in transitional plane Couette flow: A key ingredient of the spot growth mechanism

Using particle image velocimetry in a new experimental plane Couette flow, we investigate the dynamics of turbulent patches invading formerly laminar flows. We evidence experimentally for the first time in this geometry the existence of large scale flows. These flows appear as soon as laminar and turbulent domains coexist. Spectral analysis is used to study the dynamical evolution of these large scales as well as that of the small scales associated with turbulence. We show that large-scale flows grow before turbulent spots develop and we point out the crucial role they play in the growth mechanism and possibly also in the emergence of organised patterns.