The Effect of the Density Ratio on the Nonlinear Dynamics of the Unstable Fluid Interface

Abstract

When a light fluid accelerates a heavy fluid, the misalignment of the pressure and density gradients gives rise to the instability of the interface, and produces eventually the turbulent mixing of the fluids (Rayleigh 1892; Davies & Taylor 1950; Richtmyer 1960; Meshkov 1969). This phenomenon is called the Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) if the acceleration is sustained, and the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) if the acceleration is driven by a shock or if it is impulsive. The RT/RM turbulent mixing is of extreme importance in astrophysics, inertial confinement fusion, and many other applications (Sharp 1984). To obtain a reliable description of the mixing process, the evolution of a largescale coherent structure, the dynamics of small-scale structures, and the cascades of energy should be understood.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADP014808

Entities

People

  • S. I. Abarzhi

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Amplitude
  • Cartesian Coordinates
  • Curvature
  • Dynamics
  • Equations
  • Flow
  • Hypervelocity Flow
  • Instability
  • Mechanics
  • Mixing
  • Nonlinear Dynamics
  • Rayleigh Taylor Instability
  • Surface Tension
  • Three Dimensional
  • Time Dependence
  • Turbulent Mixing

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster