The Richtmyer-Meshkov instability of an isotope interface in a two-fluid plasma

Abstract

The Richtmyer-Meshkov instability (RMI) in a two-fluid plasma with a density interface produced by varying isotope mass is investigated with comparison to thermalinterface and hydrodynamic (neutral fluid) cases. The absence of electrically-driven Rayleigh-Taylor instability (ERTI) in the isotope case leads to closer similarity with the hydrodynamic RMI, as opposed to the thermal case where the ERTI plays a significant role. Overall the lack of significant electron motion leads to stabilization of the isotope interface RMI relative to the thermal-interface RMI and thus the similarity to the purely hydrodynamic case.