Model for the saturation of the hydromagnetic Rayleigh--Taylor instability

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.334137· OSTI ID:6580771

Roderick, N F; Hussey, T W

The saturation of the hydromagnetic Rayleigh--Taylor instability is caused by the reduction of driving current in the bubble region between the spikes formed as the instability develops. For short wavelengths linear magnetic field diffusion provides the necessary smoothing of the magnetic field to reduce the driving force. For wavelengths longer than the magnetic field diffusion length, the current is shorted through material which expands into the bubble region. This initially low density accumulates in the bubble and eventually provides a source of sufficiently high conductivity plasma which reduces the magnetic field penetration to the front of the bubble. Simple analytic models have been developed to verify and and quantify these predictions. These models have been compared with two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic calculations for imploding plasma shells and give good agreement with these more detailed simulations.

• Research Organization: Department of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6580771
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 56:5; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY
700107* -- Fusion Energy-- Plasma Research-- Instabilities
ACCELERATION
BUBBLES
DIFFUSION
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INSTABILITY
LINERS
MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
PLASMA
RAYLEIGH-TAYLOR INSTABILITY
SATURATION