Cylindrical shock and detonation waves in magnetogasdynamics

Abstract

Self-similar flow patterns are studied which arise when a cylindrically symmetric strong shock or detonation wave propagates outwards into a gas at rest in which the ambient density varies as the inverse square of the distance from the axis of symmetry along which flows a line current of either zero or finite constant strength. The electrical conductivity of the gas on either side of the wave is supposed perfect and the discontinuities discussed are either gasdynamic or magnetogas-dynamic in nature. It is shown that self-similar solutions exist for piston driven gasdynamic detonation and shock waves. Whilst no self-similar solutions may occur for magnetogasdynamic detonation waves, it is demonstrated that magnetogasdynamic shock waves do possess such solutions for which detailed flow patterns are presented.