The Variable Density Model for the Rayleigh-Taylor Instability and its transformation to the diffusive, inhomogeneous, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract

It is shown how the variable density model (VDM) that governs the Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) for the miscible mixing of two incompressible fluids can be transformed into a diffusive version of the inhomogeneous, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations forced by gradients of the composition density $\rho$ of the mixing layer. This demonstrates how buoyancy-driven flows drive and enhance Navier-Stokes turbulence. The role of the potential vorticity $q=\omega \cdot \nabla \rho$ is also discussed.