Radiographic Evidence fork−5/3Scaling of Density Power Spectra

Abstract

Experiments on the explosively driven compression and reexpansion of metal cylinders are reported. Analysis of radiography data taken with a pulsed x-ray source reveals scale invariant density fluctuations. The marginal density spectra are consistent with a {ital k}{sup {minus}8/3} power law, where {ital k} is wave number, corresponding to scalar density spectra varying as {ital k}{sup {minus}5/3}. Remarkably, the same scaling behavior is observed for a variety of metals with widely different mechanical properties. The relation of these results to fully developed turbulence in both incompressible fluids and compressible fluids with large density variations is discussed. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}