Role of magnetic fields on the evolution and dynamics of magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor instability (Manohar Teja Kalluri)

Mixing of fluids in the presence of gravitational and magnetic fields in a baroclinically unstable configuration is a ubiquitous process in astrophysical and laboratory systems. The instability causing the above phenomenon is called the magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor instability (MRTI). MRTI plays a crucial role in the transportation and mixing of fluids. The magnetic field strength and the fluids undergoing instability are unique in each system. An effective way to understand the MRTI dynamics in all these systems is by modelling the MRTI in a 2D/3D domain at various magnetic field strengths [1, 2, 3] and density ratios. Despite the efforts from previous studies [3,4,5], an understanding of how the magnetic fields affect the MRTI dynamics is still lacking, which is the broad goal of the current study. In this talk, I will discuss how magnetic fields influence phenomena, like instability's self-similarity and non-linear growth rate. Further, we will also delve into how magnetic reconnection, plays a crucial role in the growth and energy dynamics of the instability.

References:
[1] Stone, J. M., & Gardiner, T. (2007). Nonlinear evolution of the magnetohydrodynamic Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Physics of Fluids, 19(9).
[2] Stone, J. M., & Gardiner, T. (2007). The magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor instability in three dimensions. The Astrophysical Journal, 671(2), 1726.
[3] Carlyle, J., & Hillier, A. (2017). The non-linear growth of the magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 605, A101.