Rayleigh–Taylor instability: Modes and nonlinear evolution

Abstract

Analytical models are presented for describing modifications of the classical Rayleigh–Taylor instability theory in the context of inertial confinement fusion. The effects of stratification, finite layers, compressibility, convection and heat conduction are analysed and their mutual importance is estimated. It is found, that convective stabilization dominates for usual flow parameters and can account for growth reductions by a factor of 2 to 3. It was further possible to calculate the nonlinear evolution with the help of representative flow models and to follow the dynamics of bubble, spike and vortex formation.