Richtmyer-Meshkov instability induced by shock-bubble interaction: Numerical and analytical studies with experimental validation

This paper deals with the numerical study of the interaction of a shock wave and a bubble. The three different density ratio cases between air and bubble are investigated: light/heavy, heavy/light and close density. The numerical simulations are compared to the experiments of Layes [Phys. Rev. Lett.91, 174502 (2003)]. These three cases may allow us to better understand the vortex deposition by the baroclinic terms. Moreover, the behavior differences between the deformation of a bubble and a cylinder collided by a shock wave are shown. An analytical approach to evaluate the final volume of an inhomogeneity submitted to a shock wave interaction is also presented and discussed. (C) 2006 American Institute of Physics.