Physics – Fluid Dynamics
Scientific paper
2006-10-30
Physics
Fluid Dynamics
Submitted to Physics of Fluids
Scientific paper
10.1063/1.2730545
Marginally unstable Holmboe modes for smooth density and velocity profiles are studied. For a large family of flows and stratification that exhibit Holmboe instability, we show that the modes with phase velocity equal to the maximum or the minimum velocity of the shear are marginally unstable. This allows us to determine the critical value of the control parameter R (expressing the ratio of the velocity variation length scale to the density variation length scale) that Holmboe instability appears R=2. We then examine systems for which the parameter R is very close to this critical value. For this case we derive an analytical expression for the dispersion relation of the complex phase speed c(k) in the unstable region. The growth rate and the width of the region of unstable wave numbers has a very strong (exponential) dependence on the deviation of R from the critical value. Two specific examples are examined and the implications of the results are discussed.
No associations
LandOfFree
Marginally unstable Holmboe modes 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 Marginally unstable Holmboe modes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Marginally unstable Holmboe modes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-231258