On the use of genetic algorithm for finding the neutral instability curve in plane Poiseuille flow

A novel method based on genetic algorithm (GA) is proposed, to the best of our knowledge for the first time, for finding the neutral instability curve of the Orr–Sommerfeld equation in (nearly) parallel flows. New concepts such as “proximity of parents” and “gender discrimination” are added to the conventional GA in order for this algorithm to find the neutral instability curve. Certain GA operators such as “crossover” and “mutation” will also be modified in such a way that this algorithm can meet this purpose. To check the applicability of the modified genetic algorithm (MGA) developed in this work in finding the neutral instability curve, the case of plane Poiseuille flow will be used as a benchmark. It will be shown that the modified genetic algorithm developed in this work is well capable of determining the neutral instability curve for this particular flow geometry.