The 3D hydrodynamic evolution of a spherical bubble embedded in a less dense uniform ambient medium is described as it interacts with a Mach-10 planar shock. This scenario is an idealized model of the interaction of an interstellar cloud with a large supernova remnant. A third-order Godunov numerical algorithm and 5.2 x 10 exp 6 grid points are used to resolve the complex flowfield which results. The vortex rings observed in 2D simulations are unstable in three dimensions, and the cloud fragments in all directions. Turbulent mixing of the cloud and interstellar medium is complete and is characterized by the formation of macroscopic vortex filaments. The strongest vortex filaments observed in our simulation are thought to be responsible for the radio emission peaks observed in young supernova remnants.
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Stone et al. (1992) studied this question.