On the short-wave nature of Richtmyer–Meshkov instability

In the case of a variable period (wavelength) of a perturbed interface, the instability and stability of Richtmyer–Meshkov vortices in perfect gas and incompressible perfect fluid, respectively, are investigated numerically and analytically. Taking into account available experiments, the instability of the interface between the argon and xenon in the case of a relatively small period is modeled. An estimate of the magnitude of the critical period is given. The nonlinear (for arbitrary initial conditions) stability of the corresponding steady-state vortex flow of perfect fluid in a strip (vertical periodic channel) in the case of a fairly large period is shown.