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Nonlinear dispersive instabilities in Kelvin–Helmholtz MHD flows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 1998

M. SINGH
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada U5A 1S6
H. K. KHOSLA
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada U5A 1S6 Permanent Address: Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
S. K. MALIK
Affiliation:
Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada U5A 1S6 Permanent Address: Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.

Abstract

The nonlinear evolution of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability is examined in 2+1 dimensions in the context of magnetohydrodynamics. When the velocity difference U is less than the critical velocity Uc, the equation governing the amplitude evolves into a self-focusing singularity. The self-focusing of waves predominates at short wavelengths, is directionally dependent, and also depends sensitively on the strength of the applied magnetic field. The minimum velocity that allows the existence of self-focusing increases with increasing magnetic field strength. The explosive instability at the second-harmonic resonance is also investigated.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
1998 Cambridge University Press

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