Richtmyer–Meshkov instability

Summary

The Richtmyer–Meshkov instability is the growth of perturbations on the interface between two fluids of different density. It follows a sudden impulse on the interface, typically from a passing shock wave. It can be seen as the impulsive limit of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability, where the acceleration acts only for a very short time. In linear theory the perturbation amplitude grows linearly in time, not exponentially. It is important in inertial confinement fusion, in supersonic combustion and in supernova remnants.