On the possibility of studying the converging Richtmyer–Meshkov instability in a conventional shock tube

We propose to experimentally study, in cylindrical geometry, the interaction of an initially perturbed cylindrical gaseous interface with a converging shock wave. This interaction is commonly referred as the Richtmyer–Meshkov instability (RMI) which, in the present case, is in a cylindrical geometry. In order to achieve this goal, we use a conventional shock tube which is adapted to this geometry through a specifically designed convergent test section. Here, the first results are presented for an incident planar shock wave of Mach number 1.15 propagating through an adequately elliptical \(\hbox {air}/\hbox {SF}_6\) interface. It curves into a cylindrical transmitted shock wave and then accelerates a second sinusoidally perturbed \(\hbox {SF}_6\)/air interface. From analyzing schlieren photos and pressure histories, we validate this original approach and exhibit the great potential of this experimental method for studying the RMI induced by focusing shock waves.