Vortex paradigm for shock-accelerated density-stratified interfaces

Abstract

We present a vorrex paradigm for interpreting the evolution of shock-accelerated density-stratified interfaces beyond early times. The paradigm is investigated and illustrated through a series of numerical experiments that compare favorably with recent shock tube experiments. Color images of space-time diagrams of the one-space integrated vorticity function highlight primary and secondary features of the emerging vortex structures.