A novel form of the MHD Rayleigh–Taylor instability

Abstract

When a mutually perpendicular horizontal magnetic field and electric current are imposed upon an electrolytic liquid in a tank covered by a lighter nonconducting fluid, the interface can become unstable. In the experiment described in this paper the tank floor is stepped so that only part of the interface becomes unstable. The result is a distinctive arch-like configuration of the electrolyte, which finally disintegrates to break the current path, but which will continue to repeat itself.