Late stages of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability: A numerical study in the context of accreting neutron stars

Journal Article · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/163684· OSTI ID:5937381

Wang, Y; Robertson, J A

The development of the Rayleigh-Taylor (or interchange) instability in the fully nonlinear regime is explored using a two-dimensional, compressible magnetohydrodynamics code. Motivation for this work stems from models of accreting X-ray sources, according to which the infalling matter encounters the magnetosphere of a neutron star, and interchange modes are driven transverse to the direction of the magnetic field. In previous studies, swirling motions that act to mix the media on relatively small scales were found to develop along the boundary.

• Research Organization: Astronomische Institute der Universitaet Bonn
• OSTI ID: 5937381
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 299:1; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
ENERGY
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
INSTABILITY
KINETIC ENERGY
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MECHANICS
NEUTRON STARS
PLASMA
PLASMA INSTABILITY
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
SHEAR
SIMULATION
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR MAGNETOSPHERES
TURBULENCE
TWO-DIMENSIONAL CALCULATIONS