title: Self-similarity of two flows induced by instabilities.
abstract: The implications of full self-similarity of the Rayleigh-Taylor mixing layer and the Kelvin-Helmholtz shear layer are examined using a simplified group-theoretic analysis. The constraints on the behavior and evolution of these layers imposed by rigorous self-similarity are identified, and equations are constructed for the growth rate of these layers based on a total energy balance. This analysis does not prove that such flows will become self-similar. Rather, the analysis demonstrates the behaviors that would arise if these flows were to become fully self-similar.
authors.affiliation: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, USA.
authors.forename: Timothy T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou