Observation of Single-Mode, Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability in a Supersonic Flow

W. C. Wan, G. Malamud, A. Shimony, C. A. Di Stefano, M. R. Trantham, S. R. Klein, D. Shvarts, C. C. Kuranz, and R. P. Drake
Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 145001 – Published 1 October 2015

Abstract

We report the first observation, in a supersonic flow, of the evolution of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability from a single-mode initial condition. To obtain these data, we used a novel experimental system to produce a steady shock wave of unprecedented duration in a laser-driven experiment. The shocked, flowing material creates a shear layer between two plasmas at high energy density. We measured the resulting interface structure using radiography. Hydrodynamic simulations reproduce the large-scale structures very well and the medium-scale structures fairly well, and imply that we observed the expected reduction in growth rate for supersonic shear flow.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 3 December 2014

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.115.145001

© 2015 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

W. C. Wan1,*, G. Malamud1,2,†, A. Shimony2,3, C. A. Di Stefano1, M. R. Trantham1, S. R. Klein1, D. Shvarts1,2,3, C. C. Kuranz1, and R. P. Drake1

  • 1Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
  • 2Nuclear Research Center – Negev, Beer Sheva 84190, Israel
  • 3Department of Physics, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84190, Israel

  • *Corresponding author. wwan@umich.edu
  • Corresponding author. guy.malamud@gmail.com

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 115, Iss. 14 — 2 October 2015

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
CHORUS

Article Available via CHORUS

Download Accepted Manuscript
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review Letters

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×