On global multidimensional supersonic flows with vacuum states at infinity

TL;DR

This paper proves the global existence and stability of smooth supersonic flows with vacuum states at infinity in a 3D divergent nozzle, using mathematical analysis of a degenerate hyperbolic potential equation.

Contribution

It provides the first rigorous proof of the global stability of such flows and shows no vacuum domains exist in finite regions of the nozzle.

Findings

Flow tends to vacuum at infinity due to nozzle geometry and mass conservation.

Smooth supersonic flow remains stable under small perturbations.

No vacuum regions exist within any finite part of the nozzle.

Abstract

In this paper, we are concerned with the global existence and stability of a smooth supersonic flow with vacuum state at infinity in a 3-D infinitely long divergent nozzle. The flow is described by a 3-D steady potential equation, which is multi-dimensional quasilinear hyperbolic (but degenerate at infinity) with respect to the supersonic direction, and whose linearized part admits the form $\p_t^2-\ds\f{1}{(1+t)^{2(\g-1)}}(\p_1^2+\p_2^2)+\ds\f{2(\g-1)}{1+t}\p_t$ for $1<\g<2$. From the physical point of view, due to the expansive geometric property of the divergent nozzle and the mass conservation of gas, the moving gas in the nozzle will gradually become rarefactive and tends to a vacuum state at infinity, which implies that such a smooth supersonic flow should be globally stable for small perturbations since there are no strong resulting compressions in the motion of the flow. We will confirm such a global stability phenomena by rigorous mathematical proofs and further show that there do not exist vacuum domains in any finite part of the nozzle.