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Modulation of the instability growth at sequential heavy–light interfaces in a shocked dual layer

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2025

Chenren Chen ,
Xuan Li ,
Yifan Ma ,
Zhigang Zhai Open the ORCID record for Zhigang Zhai [Opens in a new window]  and
Xisheng Luo Open the ORCID record for Xisheng Luo [Opens in a new window]
Chenren Chen
Affiliation:
Advanced Propulsion Laboratory, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
Xuan Li
Affiliation:
Advanced Propulsion Laboratory, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
Yifan Ma
Affiliation:
Advanced Propulsion Laboratory, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
Zhigang Zhai*
Affiliation:
Advanced Propulsion Laboratory, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
Xisheng Luo*
Affiliation:
Advanced Propulsion Laboratory, Department of Modern Mechanics, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China State Key Laboratory of High-Temperature Gas Dynamics, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, PR China
*
Corresponding authors: Xisheng Luo, xluo@ustc.edu.cn; Zhigang Zhai, sanjing@ustc.edu.cn
Corresponding authors: Xisheng Luo, xluo@ustc.edu.cn; Zhigang Zhai, sanjing@ustc.edu.cn
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Abstract

We present a theoretical framework and validation for manipulating instability growth in shock-accelerated dual-layer material systems, which feature a light–heavy interface followed by two sequential heavy–light interfaces. An analytical model is first developed to predict perturbation evolution at the two heavy–light interfaces, explicitly incorporating the effects of reverberating waves within the dual-layer structure. The model identifies five distinct control regimes for instability modulation. Shock-tube experiments and numerical simulations are designed to validate these regimes, successfully realising all five predicted states. Notably, the selective growth stagnation of a perturbation at either the upstream or downstream heavy–light interface is realised numerically by tuning the initial separation distances of the three interfaces. This work elucidates the critical role of the wave dynamics in governing interface evolution of a shocked dual layer, offering insights for mitigating hydrodynamic instabilities in practical scenarios such as inertial confinement fusion.

JFM classification

Compressible Flows: Shock waves

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JFM Papers
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Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 1014 , 10 July 2025 , A4
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© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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