Evolution of the continuous interface between gases of different density during the passage of a shock wave

The evolution of the interface between gases of different density following the passage of a shock wave has been experimentally investigated. It is shown that replacing the discontinuous change of density on the wavy contact discontinuity by a continuous change in a layer of finite thickness leads to a reduction in the amplitude growth rate in the initial stage of development of Richtmyer—Meshkov instability. The experimentally determined values of the amplitude growth rate reduction factor are satisfactorily described by a model to be found in the literature. Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk, Mekhanika Zhidkosti i Gaza, No.2, pp. 18–26, March–April, 1994.