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Updated: Jun 12, 2025
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Magnetically Induced Rotating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability
Published on: March 3, 2017
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Nonlinear, single-mode, two-dimensional Rayleigh-Taylor instability in ideal media.
A R Piriz1, J J López Cela1, S A Piriz2
1Instituto de Investigaciones Energéticas (INEI), E.T.S.I.I., and CYTEMA, <a href="https://ror.org/05r78ng12">Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha</a>, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
Physical Review. E
|September 19, 2024
Summary
A new model explains Rayleigh-Taylor instability, capturing the transition to nonlinear behavior. It resolves issues with the buoyancy-drag model by naturally accounting for fluid mass, explaining velocity saturation and reacceleration.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Plasma Physics
- Astrophysical Phenomena
Background:
- Rayleigh-Taylor instability is crucial in various physical systems.
- Existing models like the buoyancy-drag model (BDM) have limitations in explaining nonlinear behavior.
- Understanding instability evolution is key to predicting phenomena from inertial confinement fusion to supernova evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- Develop an extended model for two-dimensional Rayleigh-Taylor instability.
- Describe the transition from linear to nonlinear regimes.
- Address limitations of previous models, including velocity saturation and reacceleration phases.
Main Methods:
- Extension of a previous linear model based on Newton's second law.
- Inclusion of the mass of fluids participating in the instability.
- Analysis of laterally displaced mass during instability evolution.
Main Results:
- The model naturally predicts bubble and spike velocity saturation without a drag term.
- It explains bubble reacceleration without invoking Kelvin-Helmholtz instability.
- The model shows perfect agreement with the BDM but extends its applicability and resolves issues.
Conclusions:
- The developed model offers a more consistent physical picture of Rayleigh-Taylor instability.
- It successfully captures nonlinear dynamics, including velocity saturation and reacceleration.
- This work provides a more comprehensive understanding of fluid instabilities in various scientific domains.
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