Nonlinear Stability and Dynamics of Supersonic Compressible Flows

TL;DR

This paper extends linear stability analysis of compressible shear flows to the nonlinear regime using multiple scales, revealing Mach-dependent bifurcations and complex dynamics relevant to astrophysical and aerodynamic flows.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic weakly nonlinear analysis framework for compressible shear flows, including amplitude equations and bifurcation analysis, expanding beyond prior linear theories.

Findings

Mach-dependent bifurcations in Kelvin-Helmholtz instability

Identification of supercritical and subcritical Hopf bifurcations

Nonlinear saturation and transition dynamics illustrated by phase portraits

Abstract

The study of shear layer instability in compressible flows is key to understanding phenomena from aerodynamics to astrophysical jets. Blumen's seminal paper [``Shear layer instability of an inviscid compressible fluid," J. Fluid Mech. {\bf 40}, 769--781 (1970)] established a linear stability framework for inviscid compressible shear flows, emphasizing velocity gradients and compressibility effects. However, the nonlinear regime remains insufficiently explored. This research extends Blumen's framework by conducting a weakly nonlinear stability analysis using the method of multiple scales to derive amplitude equations, such as the Landau-Stuart and complex Landau equations. Perturbation variables are expanded in a power series to capture amplitude evolution beyond linear theory. Finite boundary conditions are incorporated to enhance physical applicability. The study analyzes how compressibility and Mach number influence nonlinear saturation, revealing Mach-dependent bifurcations in Kelvin-Helmholtz instability (KHI) with alternating stable and unstable regimes. Phase portraits and trajectories illustrate transitions, saturation, and spiral decay, which are relevant to astrophysical shear flows. Bifurcation analysis reveals both supercritical and subcritical Hopf behavior in compressible shear flows, underscoring the importance of nonlinear effects in the onset and evolution of flow instabilities. Qualitative and quantitative results of instability evolution have been shown from nonlinear stability analysis. This work bridges the critical gap between linear and fully nonlinear stability analyses by offering a systematic weakly nonlinear framework and the nonlinear dynamics for compressible shear layers. It generalizes the earlier linear results and provides new predictions about bifurcation behavior and long-time state selection in compressible flows.