Nonlinear evolution of the unmagnetized ion Rayleigh--Taylor instability

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1990 · Physics of Fluids B; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.859421· OSTI ID:6415957

Hassam, A B; Huba, J D ^[1]

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1. Space Plasma Branch, Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC (USA)

The nonlinear evolution of the unmagnetized ion Rayleigh--Taylor instability is investigated. A nonlinear state corresponding to localized clumps of high-density plasma is obtained analytically. The characteristic scale size of the clumps is given by {Delta}{similar to}{ital D}({ital gL}{sub {ital n}}){sup {minus}1/2}, where {ital g} is the gravitational acceleration, {ital L}{sub {ital n}} is the density gradient scale length, and {ital D} is a diffusion coefficient associated with the short-scale dissipation processes in the system. It is shown numerically that this nonlinear state may be both accessible and stable.

• OSTI ID: 6415957
• Journal Information: Physics of Fluids B; (USA), Journal Name: Physics of Fluids B; (USA) Vol. 2:9; ISSN 0899-8221; ISSN PFBPE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640410* -- Fluid Physics-- General Fluid Dynamics
75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ACCELERATION
ANALYTICAL SOLUTION
CHARGED PARTICLES
DIFFUSION
ENERGY LOSSES
GRAVITATION
INSTABILITY
IONS
LOSSES
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PLASMA
PLASMA DENSITY
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY