Shock loading a rippled interface between liquids of different densities

Experimental results of the nonlinear growth of perturbations on a shocked interface between liquids having a density ratio of 10 are reported. After the shock passes from the higher-density liquid into the lower-density liquid, spikes of the higher-density liquid are observed to grow into the other liquid without producing severe turbulence. The measured growth is compared with analytical estimates. The time-resolved shadowgraphs provide excellent data for testing hydrodynamics models.