Atwood Number Research Articles

Numerical Study of Shock Wave Interaction with V-Shaped Heavy/Light Interface

This paper investigates numerically the shock wave interaction with a V-shaped heavy/light interface. For numerical simulations, we choose six distinct vertex angles (θ=40∘,60∘,90∘,120∘,150∘, and 170∘), five distinct shock wave strengths (Ms=1.12,1.22,1.30,1.60, and 2.0), and three different Atwood numbers (At=−0.32,−0.77, and −0.87). A two-dimensional space of compressible two-component Euler equations are solved using a third-order modal discontinuous Galerkin approach for the simulations. The present findings demonstrate that the vertex angle has a crucial influence on the shock wave interaction with the V-shaped heavy/light interface. The vertex angle significantly affects the flow field, interface deformation, wave patterns, spike generation, and vorticity production. As the vertex angle decreases, the vorticity production becomes more dominant. A thorough analysis of the vertex angle effect identifies the factors that propel the creation of vorticity during the interaction phase. Notably, smaller vertex angles lead to stronger vorticity generation due to a steeper density gradient, while larger angles result in weaker, more dispersed vorticity and a less complex interaction. Moreover, kinetic energy and enstrophy both dramatically rise with decreasing vortex angles. A detailed analysis is also carried out to analyze the vertex angle effects on the temporal variations of interface features. Finally, the impacts of different Mach and Atwood numbers on the V-shaped interface are briefly presented.

Rayleigh–Taylor instability in a Casson fluid layer with heat and mass transfer

This study investigates the stability of the interface between two fluids, a Casson fluid on top and a viscous fluid below, with heat and mass transfer occurring between them. We used the potential flow theory, which simplifies the problem by ignoring tangential stresses and focusing on normal stress balance. We did not consider no-slip conditions at the boundaries, assuming zero normal velocity at these rigid boundaries instead. A second-order polynomial equation was developed to calculate the growth rate of instabilities and solved numerically using the Newton–Raphson method. The results showed that heat and mass transfer improved the stability of the interface, even though the Atwood number, a measure of instability, remained high.

Phase-field formulated meshless simulation of axisymmetric Rayleigh-Taylor instability problem

A formulation of the immiscible Newtonian two-liquid system with different densities and influenced by gravity is based on the Phase-Field Method (PFM) approach. The solution of the related governing coupled Navier-Stokes (NS) and Cahn-Hillard (CH) equations is structured by the meshless Diffuse Approximate Method (DAM) and Pressure Implicit with Splitting of Operators (PISO). The variable density is involved in all the terms. The related moving boundary problem is handled through single-domain, irregular, fixed node arrangement in Cartesian and axisymmetric coordinates. The meshless DAM uses weighted least squares approximation on overlapping subdomains, polynomial shape functions of second-order and Gaussian weights. This solution procedure has improved stability compared to Chorin's pressure-velocity coupling, previously used in meshless solutions of related problems. The Rayleigh-Taylor instability problem simulations are performed for an Atwood number of 0.76. The DAM parameters (shape parameter of the Gaussian weight function and number of nodes in a local subdomain) are the same as in the authors’ previous studies on single-phase flows. The simulations did not need any upwinding in the range of the simulations. The results compare well with the mesh-based finite volume method studies performed with the open-source code Gerris, Open-source Field Operation and Manipulation (OpenFOAM®) code and previously existing results.

Experimental investigation of three-dimensional Rayleigh–Taylor instability of a gaseous interface

Validating the theoretical work on Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) through experiments with an exceptionally clean and well-characterized initial condition has been a long-standing challenge. Experiments were conducted to study the three-dimensional RTI of an SF $_6$ –air interface at moderate Atwood numbers. A novel soap film technique was developed to create a discontinuous gaseous interface with controllable initial conditions. Spectrum analysis revealed that the initial perturbation of the soap film interface is half the size of an entire single-mode perturbation. The correlation between the initial interface perturbation and Atwood numbers was determined. Due to the steep and highly curved feature of the initial soap film interface, the early-time evolution of RTI exhibits significant nonlinearity. In the quasi-steady regime, various potential flow models accurately predict the late-time bubble velocities by considering the channel width as the perturbation wavelength. Differently, the late-time spike velocities are described by these potential flow models using the wavelength of the entire single-mode perturbation. These findings indicate that the bubble evolution is influenced primarily by the spatial constraint imposed by walls, while the spike evolution is influenced mainly by the initial curvature of the spike tip. Consequently, a recent potential flow model was adopted to describe the time-varying amplitude growth induced by RTI. Furthermore, the self-similar growth factors for bubbles and spikes were determined from experiments and compared with existing studies, revealing that a large amplitude in the initial soap film interface promotes the spike development.

Rayleigh–Taylor instability in an arbitrary direction electrostatic field

Based on the potential flow theory, we carry out the nonlinear analysis for the inviscid incompressible Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) in an arbitrary direction electrostatic field. The analytical expressions for the bubble amplitude and growth rate are presented. The effects of tangential and vertical electrostatic fields upon the bubble dynamics are opposite and depend on permittivity ratio. Agreements with recent simulations are found in the bubble amplitude. The direction of electrostatic field determines which (tangential or vertical) component plays the main role. The stability of the interface depends on whether the tangential and vertical components of the electrostatic field exceed the cut-off electrostatic field which is dependent of the permittivity ratio and the Atwood number. The results of this work demonstrate the importance of the direction of electrostatic field when considering the impact of electrostatic field on RTI.

Self-similar Reynolds-averaged mechanical–scalar turbulence models for Rayleigh–Taylor mixing induced by power-law accelerations in the small Atwood number limit

Self-similar Reynolds-averaged mechanical–scalar turbulence models for Rayleigh–Taylor mixing induced by power-law accelerations in the small Atwood number limit

Exploring the Atwood number impact on shock-driven hydrodynamic instability at pentagonal interface using discontinuous Galerkin simulations

Investigation of Atwood number impact is crucial for comprehending the flow dynamics of the evolving hydrodynamic instability. In this paper, the Atwood number impacts on the shock-driven hydrodynamic instability at a backward-facing pentagonal interface in its early stages are explored numerically. The shock-driven pentagonal interface has a unique property in which the incident angle of the shock wave is constant along the interface edge. This property provides the ideal environment for the shock-refraction process. To examine the Atwood number impact, we consider five distinct gases, including sulfur hexafluoride, krypton, argon, neon, and helium, which are filled inside the pentagonal interface and surrounded by nitrogen gas. A mixed modal discontinuous Galerkin method is used to solve the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes–Fourier equations for two-component gas flows for numerical simulations. The simulation results illustrate that the Atwood number plays a crucial role in the flow fields of the shocked-pentagonal gas interface, which have not been reported in the literature. The flow fields are greatly impacted by the Atwood number, leading to complex wave patterns, shock focusing, jet formation, interface deformation, and vorticity generation. Further, the Atwood number effects on the flow fields are also thoroughly examined by a quantitative study based on the integral quantities and the interface features. Finally, a quantitative analysis is performed to examine the intrinsic differences between the evolution of the flow fields at the square and pentagonal interfaces.

Richtmyer–Meshkov instability at high Mach number: Non-Newtonian effects

The Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) occurs when a shock wave passes through an interface between fluids of different densities, a phenomenon prevalent in a variety of scenarios including supersonic combustion, supernovae, and inertial confinement fusion. In the most advanced current numerical modeling of RMI, a multitude of secondary physical phenomena are typically neglected that may crucially change in silico predictions. In this study, we investigate the effects of shear-thinning behavior of a fluid on the RMI at negative Atwood numbers via numerical simulations. A parametric study is carried out over a wide range of Atwood and Mach numbers that probes the flow dynamics following the impact on the interface of the initial shock wave and subsequent, reflected shocks. We demonstrate agreement between our numerical results and analytical predictions, which are valid during the early stages of the flow, and examine the effect of the system parameters on the vorticity distribution near the interface. We also carry out an analysis of the rate of vorticity production and dissipation budget which pinpoints the physical mechanisms leading to instability due to the initial and reflected shocks. Our findings indicate that the shear-thinning effects have a significant impact on instability growth and the development of secondary instabilities, which manifest themselves through the formation of Kelvin–Helmholtz waves. Specifically, we demonstrate that these effects influence vorticity generation and damping, which, in turn, affect the RMI growth. These insights have important implications for a range of applications, including inertial confinement fusion and bubble collapse within non-Newtonian materials.

Analyzing Richtmyer–Meshkov Phenomena Triggered by Forward-Triangular Light Gas Bubbles: A Numerical Perspective

In this paper, we present a numerical investigation into elucidating the complex dynamics of Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) phenomena initiated by the interaction of shock waves with forward-triangular light gas bubbles. The triangular bubble is filled with neon, helium, or hydrogen gas, and is surrounded by nitrogen gas. Three different shock Mach numbers are considered: Ms=1.12,1.21, and 1.41. For the numerical simulations, a two-dimensional system of compressible Euler equations for two-component gas flows is solved by utilizing the high-fidelity explicit modal discontinuous Galerkin technique. For validation, the numerical results are compared with the existing experimental results and are found to be in good agreement. The numerical model explores the impact of the Atwood number on the underlying mechanisms of the shock-induced forward-triangle bubble, encompassing aspects such as flow evolution, wave characteristics, jet formation, generation of vorticity, interface features, and integral diagnostics. Furthermore, the impacts of shock strengths and positive Atwood numbers on the flow evolution are also analyzed. Insights gained from this numerical perspective enhance our understanding of RM phenomena triggered by forward-triangular light gas bubbles, with implications for diverse applications in engineering, astrophysics, and fusion research.

Phase-field formulated meshless simulation of Rayleigh-Taylor instability problem

The interface between two immiscible Newtonian liquids with different densities and the same viscosity, influenced by gravity, is based on the Phase-Field Method (PFM) formulation. The solution of the related governing coupled Navier-Stokes (NS) and Cahn-Hillard (CH) equations is structured by the meshless Diffuse Approximate Method (DAM) and Pressure Implicit with Splitting of Operators (PISO). The variable density is involved in the inertial and buoyancy terms (non-Boussinesq formulation). The related moving boundary problem is handled through single-domain, irregular, fixed node arrangement in two-dimensional Cartesian coordinates. The meshless DAM uses weighted least squares approximation on overlapping subdomains, polynomial shape functions of second-order and Gaussian weights. Implicit time discretisation is performed for the NS and CH equations in the momentum predictor and Phase-Field (PF) variable corrector steps of PISO, while the momentum corrector steps solve the NS equation explicitly. This solution procedure has improved stability compared to Chorin’s pressure-velocity coupling, previously used in meshless solutions of related problems. The Rayleigh-Taylor instability problem simulations are performed for an Atwood number of 0.76. The DAM parameters (shape parameter of the Gaussian weight function and number of nodes in a local subdomain) are the same as in the author’s previous studies on single-phase flows. The simulations did not need any upwinding in the range of the simulations. The results compare well with the mesh-based finite volume method studies performed with the open-source code Gerris.

Effects of compressibility on Richtmyer–Meshkov instability of heavy/light interface

Experimental and numerical studies on the evolution of shock-accelerated SF6/air interface with small initial amplitude are conducted. The effect of compressibility on the early development of perturbation is highlighted by varying shock intensity and fluid properties. The startup process is analyzed when rarefaction waves are reflected and the characteristic time of the startup process is provided. The relationship between the phase inversion process and the startup process under different incident shock strengths is clarified. According to the startup time, a new start point for normalization is given, which can better normalize the amplitude growth at the early stage. In addition, the effects of incident shock strength and physical properties of fluids on the linear growth rate are highlighted through numerical simulations. The incompressible linear model loses validity when the incident shock is strong, and the existing rotational model is verified to provide excellent predictions under any shock strengths. The decrease in adiabatic exponent of the heavy fluid or the increase in adiabatic exponent of the light fluid can reduce the linear growth rate. As the absolute value of Atwood number increases, the adiabatic exponent of the heavy fluid has a more significant effect on the linear growth than that of the light fluid.

The inviscid incompressible limit of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability for plasmas

Introduction: The Kelvin–Helmholtz Instability (KHI) is an interface instability that develops between two fluids or plasmas flowing with a common shear layer. KHI occurs in astrophysical jets, solar atmosphere, solar flows, cometary tails, planetary magnetospheres. Two applications of interest, encompassing both space and fusion applications, drive this study: KHI formation at the outer flanks of the Earth’s magnetosphere and KHI growth from non-uniform laser heating in magnetized direct-drive implosion experiments. Here, we study 2D KHI with or without a magnetic field parallel to the flow. We use both the GAMERA code, which solves the compressible Euler equations, and the STRATOSPEC code, which solves the Navier-Stokes equations under the Boussinesq approximation, coupled with the magnetic field dynamics. GAMERA is a global three-dimensional MHD code with high-order reconstruction in arbitrary nonorthogonal curvilinear coordinates, which is developed for a large range of astrophysical applications. STRATOSPEC is a three-dimensional pseudo-spectral code with an accuracy of infinite order (no numerical diffusion). Magnetized KHI is a canonical case for benchmarking hydrocode simulations with extended MHD options.Methods: An objective is to assess whether or not, and under which conditions, the incompressibility hypothesis allows to describe a dynamic compressible system. For comparing both codes, we reach the inviscid incompressible regime, by decreasing the Mach number in GAMERA, and viscosity and diffusion in STRATOSPEC. Here, we specifically investigate both single-mode and multi-mode initial perturbations, either with or without magnetic field parallel to the flow. The method relies on comparisons of the density fields, 1D profiles of physical quantities averaged along the flow direction, and scale-by-scale spectral densities. We also address the triggering, formation and damping of filamentary structures under varying Mach number or Atwood number, with or without a parallel magnetic field.Results: Comparisons show very satisfactory results between the two codes. The vortices dynamics is well reproduced, along with the breaking or damping of small-scale structures. We end with the extraction of growth rates of magnetized KHI from the compressible regime to the incompressible limit in the linear regime assessing the effects of compressibility under increasing magnetic field.Discussion: The observed differences between the two codes are explained either from diffusion or non-Boussinesq effects.

Refraction of a triple-shock configuration at planar fast–slow gas interfaces

This paper characterizes the refraction of a triple-shock configuration at planar fast–slow gas interfaces. The primary objective is to reveal the wave configurations and elucidate the mechanisms governing circulation deposition and velocity perturbation on the interface caused by triple-shock refraction. The incident triple-shock configuration is generated by diffracting a planar shock around a rigid cylinder, and four interfaces with various $Z_{{r}}$ (i.e. acoustic impedance ratio across the interface) are considered. An analytical model describing the triple-shock refraction is developed, which accurately predicts both the wave configurations as well as circulation deposition and velocity perturbation. Depending on $Z_{{r}}$ , three distinct patterns of transmitted waves can be anticipated: a triple-shock configuration; a four-shock configuration; a four-wave configuration. The underlying mechanism for the formation of these wave configurations is elucidated through shock polar analysis. A novel physical insight into the contribution of triple-shock refraction to the interface perturbation growth is provided. The results indicate that the reflected shock in an incident triple-shock configuration makes significant negative contribution to both circulation deposition and velocity perturbation. This investigation elucidates the underlying mechanism responsible for the relatively insignificant contribution of baroclinic circulation to the Richtmyer–Meshkov-like instability induced by a non-uniform shock, and provides an explanation for the decrease in growth rate of interface perturbation amplitude with increasing Atwood number.

Numerical simulation of the interaction between a planar shock wave and a backward-facing triangular bubble containing gases with different Atwood numbers

The interaction between a shock wave and an interface delineating two gases engenders intricate flow physics, with particular attention drawn to the hydrodynamic instability due to its practical significance. Previous studies have primarily focused on elucidating different wave patterns and instabilities evolution at the interface during the initial phase of shock interaction with cylindrical or spherical bubbles. However, scant literature has shifted its focus toward exploring the long-term morphology of bubbles, especially those characterized by polygonal interfaces. Notably, the detailed examination of shock interaction with a polygonal interface, such as a triangular one with a constant incident angle, remains largely unexplored in existing literature. Recently, the longtime evolution of detailed flow structures across the interface of shock-forward-facing triangular bubbles was captured by Kundu et al. [“A study on dynamics of shock-accelerated forward-facing triangular bubbles at different Atwood numbers,” Phys. Fluids 36, 016110 (2024)] through numerical simulation. In this study, the dynamics of a shock-accelerated backward-facing triangular interface containing various gases, namely, Sulfur Hexafluoride, Refrigerant-22, Argon, Neon, and Helium, is studied for a shock Mach number of 1.21. Simulations were performed by solving the two-dimensional Euler equation using low-dissipative advection upwind splitting methods (AUSMD), in conjunction with a derived ninth-order upwind scheme and a four-stage third-order Runge–Kutta scheme for temporal integration. The development of Richtmyer–Meshkov (RM) and Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) instabilities at the interface, mixing, and normalized movements of backward-facing triangular bubbles is captured at different Atwood (At) numbers.

The Effect of Spatially Varying Collision Frequency on the Development of the Rayleigh–Taylor Instability

The Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instability is ubiquitously observed, yet has traditionally been studied using ideal fluid models. Collisionality can vary strongly across the fluid interface, and previous work demonstrates the necessity of kinetic models to completely capture dynamics in certain collisional regimes. Where previous kinetic simulations used spatially and temporally constant collision frequency, this work presents five-dimensional (two spatial, three velocity dimensions) continuum-kinetic simulations of the RT instability using a more realistic spatially varying collision frequency. Three cases of collisional variation are explored for two Atwood numbers: low to intermediate, intermediate to high, and low to high. The low-to-intermediate case exhibits no RT instability growth, while the intermediate-to-high case is similar to a fluid-limit kinetic case with interface widening biased toward the lower-collisionality region. A novel contribution of this work is the low-to-high collisionality case that shows significantly altered instability growth through an upward movement of the interface and damped spike growth due to increased free-streaming particle diffusion in the lower region. Contributions to the energy flux from the non-Maxwellian portions of the distribution function are not accessible to fluid models and are greatest in magnitude in the spike and regions of low collisionality. Increasing the Atwood number results in greater RT instability growth and reduced upward interface movement. Deviation of the distribution function from Maxwellian is inversely proportional to collision frequency and concentrated around the fluid interface. The linear phase of RT instability growth is well described by theoretical linear growth rates accounting for viscosity and diffusion.

Effects of Mach and Atwood numbers on the shock-induced evolution of a double-layer gas cylinder

The evolution of a double-layer gas cylinder under various Mach numbers (M = 1.27, 1.5, 1.7, and 2.1) and Atwood numbers (A = 0.504, 0.392, 0.194, and −0.202 for the first layer) are studied numerically. At M ≥ 1.5 and A = 0.504, a bulge is generated near the upstream pole of the outer cylinder due to the impingement of a reflected shock wave, which promotes the formation of an upstream jet. At a higher Mach number, the evolution of the jet is suppressed under the influence of a higher pressure upstream of the jet head. The compressibility effects are quantified by the widths and heights of the gas cylinders. The Atwood number is associated with nonlinear acoustic effects, and the sign of A results in a significant variation in the wave patterns. The development of vortex pairs slows down with the decreasing Atwood numbers in the scenario of A > 0 for the first layer gas cylinder, while vortex pairs emerge and propagate in both upstream and downstream directions from the outer interface in the scenario of A < 0 for the first layer. As the Mach numbers and the magnitude of the Atwood numbers are increased, the mixing of various gases is promoted by detecting the circulation and mixed mass. The net circulation can be predicted by the linear summation of the Picone and Boris model and the Samtaney and Zabusky model under various Mach and Atwood numbers.

Simulations and models for the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability with broadband perturbations

The Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) is shock driven and affects many phenomena from inertial fusion to supernova explosions. The behavior of single-modes in the RMI has been studied extensively but less is known with the broadband perturbations that occur in applications. Here, we describe extensive numerical simulations and modeling of the RMI with broadband perturbations with an initial power spectrum of the form P ∝ km, where k is the wavenumber. The hydrodynamic condition is the same as in the θ-Group Collaboration [Thornber et al., “Late-time growth rate, mixing, and anisotropy in the multimode narrowband Richtmyer–Meshkov instability: The θ-group collaboration,” Phys. Fluids 29, 105107 (2017)] with a Mach ∼1.86 shock and gamma-law = 5/3 fluids with Atwood number A = −0.5. The bubble amplitude hB is found to grow in two stages. Initially, hB undergoes a phase-inversion and grows linearly in time (t) at a rate consistent with a linear theory. Asymptotically, hB grows as a power law ∼tθ when k|hB| > O(1), where k is the average wavenumber for the initial spectrum. The RMI behavior in simulations and modeling agree over a wide range of exponent m, spectral width, initial amplitude, and time. The agreement is quantified objectively using statistical analysis.

Insight on the Flow Physics of Shock-driven Elliptical Gas Inhomogeneity with Different Atwood Numbers

Insight on the Flow Physics of Shock-driven Elliptical Gas Inhomogeneity with Different Atwood Numbers

Irrotational flow analysis of Rayleigh-Taylor instability in nanofluid layer with tangential magnetic field

The application of nanofluids in the presence of a magnetic field holds promise for advanced drug delivery systems, where controlled manipulation of magnetic nanoparticles within nanofluids can enhance targeted and localized drug delivery. This study explores the instability of a viscous fluid-nanofluid interface arranged in a planar configuration influenced by a tangential magnetic field using the irrotational flow theory. When the nanofluid is positioned above a viscous fluid, the interface is susceptible to the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Employing linear stability theory, an explicit relationship connecting the perturbation growth parameter with the wavenumber is derived. Different dimensionless quantities such as the Atwood number, Weber number, Froude number, and Reynolds number are analyzed using stability plots. These plots provide valuable information about the behavior of interfaces. Increased magnetic field strength is observed to delay instability onset. Surface tension is found to stabilize the interface, whereas inertial forces destabilize it. This investigation contributes to understanding and controlling the interface dynamics in nanofluid systems.

A study on dynamics of shock-accelerated forward-facing triangular bubbles at different Atwood numbers

The complexity of flow physics and the associated hydrodynamic instability arising out of interactions of a shock wave with forward and backward-facing triangular interfaces drew the attention of researchers around the globe. In earlier studies, many researchers focused on the formation of different wave patterns, the development of instabilities at the interface, and the flow morphology during the initial phase of shock wave interacting with light and heavier bubbles. However, limited studies are available in the literature on the interaction of shock with a polygonal interface. Furthermore, it is difficult to capture the complex flow physics of a polygonal interface accelerated by shock waves at later time instants. In the present study, the dynamics of shock-accelerated forward-facing triangular interface containing various gases, namely, sulfur hexafluoride, refrigerant-22, argon, neon, and helium, are examined numerically for a longer time duration for a shock Mach number of 1.21. The simulations were performed by solving two-dimensional Euler equations using a low-dissipative advection upstream splitting method algorithm coupled with a derived ninth-order upwind scheme and a four-stage third-order Runge–Kutta scheme. The numerical results demonstrated the influence of the Atwood number on vorticity generation, bubble deformation, mixing, and the development of Kelvin Helmholtz instabilities on the bubble interface up to long instants, which are not available in the literature. The Fourier spectra of the streamwise kinetic energy showed the distribution of energy in the larger and smaller scale vortical structures.