We present direct numerical simulations of the Taylor–
Couette flow of a dilute polymer solution when only
the inner cylinder rotates and the curvature of the
system is moderate (η = 0.77). The finitely extensible
nonlinear elastic-Peterlin (FENE-P) closure is used
to model the polymer dynamics. The simulations
have revealed the existence of a novel elastoinertial
rotating wave characterized by arrow-shaped
structures of the polymer stretch field aligned with
the streamwise direction. This rotating wave pattern is
comprehensively characterized, including an analysis
of its dependence on the dimensionless Reynolds
and Weissenberg numbers. Other flow states having
arrow-shaped structures coexisting with other types
of structures have also been identified for the first time
in this study and are briefly discussed.
