Nonlinear Rayleigh-Taylor growth in converging geometry

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.71.055302· OSTI ID:20706277

Clark, Daniel S; Tabak, Max ^[1]

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1. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of California, Livermore, California 94550 (United States)

The early nonlinear phase of Rayleigh-Taylor growth is typically described in terms of the classic Layzer model in which bubbles of light fluid rise into the heavy fluid at a constant rate determined by the bubble radius and the gravitational acceleration. However, this model is strictly valid only for planar interfaces and hence ignores any effects that might be introduced by the spherically converging interfaces of interest in inertial confinement fusion and various astrophysical phenomena. Here, a generalization of the Layzer nonlinear bubble rise rate is given for a self-similar spherically converging flow of the type studied by Kidder. A simple formula for the bubble amplitude is found showing that, while the bubble initially rises with a constant velocity similar to the Layzer result, during the late phase of the implosion, an acceleration of the bubble rise rate occurs. The bubble rise rate is verified by comparison with numerical hydrodynamics simulations.

• OSTI ID: 20706277
• Journal Information: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics, Journal Name: Physical Review. E, Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 71; ISSN PLEEE8; ISSN 1063-651X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
BUBBLES
FLUIDS
GEOMETRY
HYDRODYNAMICS
INERTIAL CONFINEMENT
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
PLASMA SIMULATION
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY