Quantitative theory for spikes and bubbles in the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability at arbitrary density ratios

Abstract

It is well known that Goncharov's theory based on Layzer's approach for the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability provides good predictions for bubbles, but could give qualitatively incorrect predictions for spikes. This leads to the belief that Layzer's approach is not applicable to spikes. We show that, by incorporating the distinctive behaviors of spikes and bubbles properly, Layzer's approach is actually applicable to both spikes and bubbles, and can provide accurate predictions for both spikes and bubbles, for systems with arbitrary density ratios, and for the entire evolution process of unstable fingers.

Topics & Concepts