Numerical simulations of single-mode Richtmyer-Meshkov experiments

Two-dimensional numerical simulation of the fluid instability of a shock-accelerated interface between a light fluid and a heavy one shows a flow pattern very similar to experimental pictures. Furthermore, numerical and experimental amplitude growth rates are in good agreement and are decaying in time in a similar way. Spectral analysis of the flow is performed with the help of two different methods. The peak-to-peak amplitude can be reproduced with 50 mesh zones in the wavelength whereas the streamwise kinetic energy decay in time due to molecular viscous dissipation requires 360 zones in the wavelength and a second-order accurate numerical scheme in space and time to be correctly described.