A nonlinear stability analysis of the magnetic Bénard problem through the Lyapunov direct method (Q1116787)

The authors have given an analysis of nonlinear stability of the magnetic Bénard problem using the method of the first author in: ``On the choice of the Lyapunov function in the fluid motion stability'' [lecture given at meeting: ``Energy stability and convection'', Capri (1986)]. They have shown that it is possible to select a Lyapunov function that improves in every case the previous results. The coincidence between the linear and nonlinear stability parameters at least in the case \(P_ m<\Pr\), \(Q^ 2\leq 105.18\) and \(R^ 2\leq 2741.3\) has been obtained. They have also discussed a meaningful physical case of mercury at room temperature and have obtained some explicit numerical values for the radius of attraction (although very low). The stability theorems obtained are in a norm (V- norm) stronger than the \(L_ 2\)-norm. A pointwise exponential decay for the perturbation of the temperature has been established.