Development of the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability on an interface with continuous density variation

Abstract

The development of the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability driven by a shock wave reflected from a rigid wall is investigated. It is shown that the perturbation amplitude growth rate depends on the nature of the shock wave refraction on the interface between gases of different density. In the case of regular-soft refraction the reduction in the growth rate of the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability associated with the continuous change in density on the interface is measured.