On the dynamics of a curved deflagration front

An equation describing evolution of a curved deflagration front of finite thickness is obtained for the case of an arbitrary equation of state of the “fuel”, an arbitrary type of energy release and an arbitrary type of thermal conduction. The equation is complemented by conservation laws for the mass flux and the momentum flux through the deflagration front of finite thickness. As an illustration of the method, the growth rates and the cutoff wavelengths for the linear stage of the flame instability are calculated for the case of a flame in an ideal gaseous fuel and for the case of a thermonuclear deflagration propagating in a strongly degenerate matter of white dwarfs. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 111, 514–527 (February 1997) Published in English in the original Russian journal. Reproduced here with stylistic changes by the Translation Editor.