We continue our previous investigations (Yang, Zabusky, & Chern, 1990; Zabusky & Zhang, 2002) of the interaction of a shock with a planar, inclined curtain (slow/fast/slow) to a wider Mach number range (M = 1.5, 2.0, and 5.0) and longer times. In all cases, the generic features may be explained in terms of the opposite-signed vortex layers (deposited by the shock wave), which approach and collide to form a complex vortex bilayer (VBL). At M ≤ 2.0, the VBL traverses the shock tube and eventually collides with the opposite horizontal boundary and evolves into upstream and downstream moving inhomogeneous vortex projectiles (VPs) (Zabusky & Zeng, 1998). This is manifested as early-time “breakthrough” (Yang, Zabusky, & Chern, 1990). During the traversal, we observe and scale a strong secondary baroclinic circulation enhancement. We track and quantify the VPs and show that their velocities compare well to that from a simple vortex model. We also display turbulent domains and a new rapid early time turbulization at M = 5, when the VBL is narrower.

We examine the interaction of both cylindrical and spherical bubbles (2D) and a complex blast wave, which consists of an approaching shock/contact discontinuity/shock (Kang et al., 2001a, 2001b). Such configurations may arise following a supernova explosion, for example, SN 1987A, where a complex blast wave is presently approaching a high density “circumstellar ring” (CR) (Borkowski et al., 1997). Using simulations with the piecewise parabolic method algorithm (Colella & Woodward, 1984), we emphasize the appearance of vortex bilayers, vortex projectiles, and turbulent domains on the downstream and upstream sides of the bubble. We believe that the interfacial deformation of the CR is associated with a strong blast-wave driven accelerated inhomogeneous flow instability in a high density medium and thus will have a different character than the more common planar shock-driven Richtmyer–Meshkov instability.

We present a numerical study to late times of a Richtmyer–Meshkov environment: a weak shock (M = 1.095) interacting with a heavy cylindrical bubble. The bubble interface is modeled as a diffuse interfacial transition layer (ITL) with finite thickness. Our simulation with the piecewise parabolic method (PPM) yields very good agreement in large- and intermediate-scale features with Jacobs' experiment (Jacobs, 1993). We note the primary circulation enhancement deposited baroclinically upon the incident shock wave, and significant secondary baroclinic circulation enhancement, first observed in Zabusky and Zhang (2002). We propose that this vortex-accelerated circulation deposition is universal. These baroclinic processes are mediated by a strong gradient intensification and stretching of the ITL and result in close-lying vortex bilayers (VBLs) and the emergence of vortex projectiles (VPs). These account for the elongated, kidney-shaped morphology of the rolled up bubble domain at late times.