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Updated: May 30, 2026
06:42
Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
Anisotropy and feedthrough in magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability
Y Y Lau1, J C Zier, I M Rittersdorf
1Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2104, USA.
Summary
The magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability (MRT) in finite slabs is analyzed. Robust growth is observed, but feedthrough can be reduced with magnetic fields on both sides and field line bending.
Area of Science:
- Plasma Physics
- Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD)
Background:
- The magneto-Rayleigh-Taylor instability (MRT) is a critical phenomenon in plasma physics.
- Understanding MRT is essential for various applications, including inertial confinement fusion and astrophysics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analytically investigate the MRT instability of a finite plasma slab.
- To explore the influence of anisotropic acceleration and magnetic fields on MRT dynamics.
- To analyze the effect of feedthrough in finite slabs.
Main Methods:
- Analytical study using the ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) model.
- Consideration of arbitrary acceleration combinations (magnetic and fluid pressure).
- Analysis of feedthrough effects in finite slabs.
Main Results:
- The analytical theory recovers known limiting cases, including Taylor's feedthrough solution, Chandrasekhar's single interface MRT, and Harris' stability condition.
- MRT generally exhibits robust growth when present.
- Feedthrough can be significantly reduced by applying magnetic fields to both sides of the slab and by magnetic field line bending.
Conclusions:
- The developed analytical framework provides a comprehensive understanding of finite slab MRT.
- The findings highlight mechanisms for mitigating feedthrough, crucial for controlling plasma behavior.
- The study confirms the robust nature of MRT growth under various conditions.
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