Nonlinear pattern formation of Faraday waves

A cascade of surface wave patterns with increasing rotational symmetry ranging from simple square to tenfold quasiperiodic is observed for Faraday waves. The experiment concerns the excitation of subharmonic standing surface waves by oscillating vertical acceleration. Our observation agrees with the prediction of a recent theory. By presenting these predictions in a dimensionless form, we illustrate the genericity of this phenomenon and emphasize the very favorable agreement with experiment.