A critical analysis of Rayleigh-Taylor growth rates

Recent simulations of Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth rates display cons iderable spread. We provide evidence that differences in numerical dissipat ion effects (mass diffusion and viscosity) due to algorithmic differences a nd differences in simulation duration are the dominant factors that produce such different results, Within the simulation size and durations explored here, we provide evidence that the principal discrepancies are due to numer ical dispersion through comparison of simulations using different algorithm s. We present new 3D front tracking simulations that show tentative agreeme nt with the range of reported experimental values. We begin an exploration of new physical length scales that may characterize a transition to a new R ayleigh-Taylor mixing regime. (C) 2001 Academic Press.