Turbulent Combustion Driven by Rayleigh-Taylor Instability in Thermonuclear Supernovae

Details Turbulent Combustion Driven by Rayleigh-Taylor Instability in Thermonuclear Supernovae Turbulent Combustion Driven by Rayleigh-Taylor Instability in Thermonuclear Supernovae

Nov 2002

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2002aps..dfd.fj008g&link_type=abstract

American Physical Society, Division of Fluid Dymanics 55th Annual Meeting, abstract #FJ.008

Physics

Scientific paper

Three-dimensional numerical simulations of a thermonuclear supernova explosion show the evolution of the deflagration stage and the need for the transition to a detonation. The numerical model solves the reactive Euler equations coupled with an equation of state for a degenerate matter, a simplified energy-release model, a front-tracking algorithm, and a subgrid model that defines the turbulent flame speed. Fast nuclear fusion reactions start the explosion near the center of a white dwarf (WD). The reactive front is a thin thermonuclear flame propagating outward subsonically. The flame becomes unstable due to buoyancy effects and develops multiple plumes characteristic of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Shear layers along the plumes are Kelvin-Helmholtz unstable and generate vortices that further distort the flame surface and create small-scale turbulent motions. While the buoyant plumes grow, unburnt material between the plumes either sinks towards the center or expands more slowly than the burnt material inside the plumes. The predicted presence of unburnt carbon and oxygen near the WD center disagrees with observations showing unburnt material in outer layers only. This can be resolved if the deflagration triggers a detonation.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Turbulent Combustion Driven by Rayleigh-Taylor Instability in Thermonuclear Supernovae does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Turbulent Combustion Driven by Rayleigh-Taylor Instability in Thermonuclear Supernovae, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Turbulent Combustion Driven by Rayleigh-Taylor Instability in Thermonuclear Supernovae will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-735695