Surface pattern determined by vertical convection on Rayleigh-Taylor instability

TL;DR

This study investigates how surface patterns formed during Rayleigh-Taylor instability are influenced by vertical convection, revealing that pattern types depend on the aspect ratio and convection dynamics.

Contribution

It demonstrates the relationship between surface patterns and vertical convection in Rayleigh-Taylor instability, highlighting the impact of aspect ratio on pattern formation.

Findings

Fractal patterns occur at r < h

Cell patterns form at r > h

Surface pattern is strongly influenced by vertical convection

Abstract

Relationship between a surface pattern and vertical convections is studied in a condition of Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The vertical convections change with the case configuration and the aspect ratio r / h of the case, where r and h show radius of case and height of the lighter solution. Fractal pattern is observed at r < h, and cell pattern is formed at r > h. According to the changes of the surface pattern, the vertical convection transfers to some convections from coupled convections. This result shows that the surface pattern is strongly influenced by the vertical convection.