On the mechanism of self-oscillations of a supersonic radial jet exhausting into an ambient space

Results of an experimental study and numerical simulation of self-oscillations of a supersonic radial jet exhausting from a plane radial nozzle into an ambient space are reported. It is demonstrated that flexural oscillations develop in the jet, leading to its destruction. Feedback ensured by acoustic waves in the gas surrounding the supersonic jet is found to play a key role in the emergence of self-oscillations.