Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya

Bilaspur (C.G.)

Rayleigh-Taylor Instability in Degenerate

White Dwarfs
Bivash Dolai
E-mail: bivash.sree@gmail.com

Department of Pure & Applied Physics

Chhattisgarh Young Scientist Award Presentation

CYSC-2019
Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (C.G.)
28th February - 1st March, 2019
Outlines

 Introduction
Rayleigh-Taylor instability: Background
Strongly coupled plasma: Background
 Objectives
 Formulation of the model
 Governing equations for strongly coupled plasma (SCQP)

 Dispersion relation and discussions

A. Incompressible SCQP
B. Compressible SCQP
 Application in white dwarfs

 Concluding remarks
 Introduction
Rayleigh-Taylor Instability: Background:

•

Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) occurs When a
heavy fluid rests above a light fluid under the
influence of gravity, the interface is unstable p

to infinitesimal perturbations.
• When a dense plasma is supported against
gravity. Effective gravitational force act as a light p     0

fluid.

• It occurs any time when a density gradient is

accelerated by a pressure gradient such that
.

1
 Introduction
Rayleigh-Taylor Instability: Occurrence:

Crab Nebula Supernova Fluid dynamics

Distance micrometres

Distance micrometres 3 million kilometres

(a) Inertial fusion capsule implosions (b) Core-collapse supernova explosions White dwarfs

Image (a) is form Sakagami and Nishihara, Physics of fluids B 2, 2715 (1990).
2 Image (b) is form Hachisu et al. Astrophycal Journal 368, L27 (1991).
 Introduction

Strongly coupled plasma: Background:

The fundamental characteristics of a many-particle interacting

system is the coupling constant  defined

𝑄2 For weakly coupled plasma  ≪ 1

= =¿ Potential energy> ¿ ¿
𝑎𝑇 ¿ Kinetic energy>¿¿ For strongly coupled plasma  ≥ 1

There are many examples:

• giant planets • neutron star surfaces

• brown dwarfs • quark-gluon plasmas
• white dwarfs • early-time ICF experiments

3
 Objectives:

 To formulate a model for analysing hydrodynamic RTI in

SCQP consisting strongly coupled ions and degenerate
electrons in the core of white dwarfs.

 To investigate RTI in SCQP in both the compressible and

incompressible fluids.

 To derive the criterion of RTI and expression of critical

wavenumber.

 The internal waves and growth rate of RTI in the white

dwarfs.

 To study the effect of quantum Froude number and strong

coupling parameter on the growth rate of RTI.

4
 Formulation of the model:

Basic assumptions:

 The electrons are inertialess and fully

degenerate i.e., /.

 The ions are more strongly

log TeV
correlated than the electrons so that
coupling parameter >>1 and <1.

 The ions are heavier than electrons

(>), hence the ion fluid is acting under
the influence of downward log n18
gravitational acceleration = -.

Courtesy: A. Das and P. Kaw, Phys. Plasmas 21, 062102 (2014).

5
 Governing Equation for SCQP:

Momentum Transfer equations of SCQP:

Strongly
coupled ions

()[ - + - ] = η + (ξ + )()

Inertia-less degenerate 0=-- +

electrons

Quantum Bohm Force:

 Assuming mixed quantum states the stress tensor in the original quantum hydrodynamic
theory is multiplied with a statistical factor 1/3.
 The quantum potential is a function not only of x but in a neighbourhood of x. Thus the
stress tensor shows non-local behaviour of quantum mechanics since depending through
the derivatives /.

The Bohm force: ()

V. Bychkov, M. Marklund, and M. Modestov, Phys. Lett. A 372, 3042 (2008).

H. L. Lu and X. M. Qiu, Phys. Plasmas 18, 104508 (2011).
C. L. Gardner and C. Ringhofer, Phys. Rev. E 53, 157 (1996).
6
 Governing Equation for SCQP:
Single fluid variables:

Global velocity
Global plasma density
= (+ )/(+ )
ρ =+ ≈ ≈/

Total pressure

= +

Ion density
Electron = (ρ )
density
= (ρ )
=0 retain the quasineutrality

Bohm force
()

K. Avinash and A. Sen, Phys. Plasmas 22, 083707 (2015).

F. Haas, Phys. Plasmas 12, 062117 (2005).
7
 Governing Equations for SCQP:

Single fluid Governing equations:

Momentum
Continuity + =0 transfer equation
equation

()[ + ()] = η + (ξ + )()

Compressibility or incompressibility
condition
Full set of Maxwell equations

8
 Governing Equations for SCQP:

Single fluid Governing equations:

Momentum
Continuity + =0 transfer equation
equation

()[ + ()] = η + (ξ + )()

Compressibility or incompressibility
condition
Full set of Maxwell equations

All physical quantities 𝑓 =𝑓 0 +𝑓 1

Equilibrium quantity Small perturbation

Perturbation exp  (𝑖 𝑘𝑥 𝑥 +𝑖 𝑘 𝑧 𝑧 + 𝑖 ω𝑡 )

9
 Dispersion relation and discussions:
A. Incompressible SCQP:

Incompressibility condition: 𝛻 .𝒖 𝑙 =0

2 𝑘2𝑥𝛼 2 𝑘2𝑥 ћ2
2 η
In the strongly coupled limit: 𝜔 = 2 𝜔 + 𝑐𝑙  +  𝑘2
𝑘 12 𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑖 ρ 0 𝜏𝑚
Horizontal 𝑘𝑥 =𝑘
propagation 𝑘𝑧 =0

𝛼  = (1/ ρ 0 )(d ρ0 / 𝑑𝑧 ) Inverse length scale

𝜔 2𝑐𝑙  = − 𝑔 𝛼 Classical RT frequency

Quantum velocity

Shear wave velocity

10
 Dispersion relation and discussions:

Condition of RTI: 𝑘< 𝑘𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡 =

√2
𝑔𝛼
2
𝑉 𝑠 h +𝑈 𝑞

Normalized dispersion relation: 𝜔̂ 2=1−(𝐹𝑟 𝑞 +𝑉 ̂ 2𝑠h)𝑘̂ 2

𝐹 𝑟 𝑞 (¿ 𝑈 2𝑞 𝛼 /𝑔) Quantum Froude number

 RT structures are propagating structure with γ=

combined velocity of quantum and shear
wave.
 Strong correlation have stabilizing effect on
the growth of RTI.
 Froude number (quantum correction) have a
stabilizing effect on the growth of RTI.

 Quantum internal wave is coupled with shear Fig.1: The normalized growth rateis plotted versus
internal wave. normalized wavenumber for various values of =0.0, 0.05
and 0.10 keeping constant value of normalized shear wave
velocity. Normalized parameters: , ,

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 Dispersion relation and discussions:

B. Compressible SCQP:

𝛻 .𝒖 𝑙 ≠ 0
Isothermal
Electron ion pressure
𝑝 𝑒=(3 𝜋 2)2/ 3 ћ2 𝑛5𝑒/3 /𝑚 𝑒 𝛻 𝑝𝑖 =𝑇 𝑖 µ𝑖 𝛻 𝑛𝑖 gradient
pressure

o Previous definitions of and with is used.

o is neglecting as compared to whenever possible.

EOS 𝛻 p=𝑐 2𝑠 𝛻 𝜌

¿ Isothermal ion compressibility factor

2/ 3
𝑇 µ ( 3 𝜋
2
𝜌 ) ћ
2
𝑐 2𝑠 = 𝑖 𝑖 + Characteristic wave velocity
𝑚𝑖 3 𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑖
5/ 3

Ghosh et al. Phys. Plasmas 19, 072123 (2012).

12
 Dispersion relation and discussions:

Dispersion relation:

2 𝑖 𝑘 𝑧 𝑐 2𝑠 2
2 2 2 2 𝑘
2
2 2
𝜔 = (1+ )𝜔 + 𝑘 𝑐 𝑠 −𝑖 𝑔𝑘 𝑧 +𝑈 𝑞 𝑘 (1+ 2 )+𝑉 𝑐 𝑘
𝑔 𝑐𝑙 𝛼
Horizontal 𝑘𝑥 =𝑘
propagation 𝑘𝑧 =0

2 2 2 𝑘2 2 22 22
𝜔 =  𝜔 +𝑘 𝑐 +𝑈 𝑘 (1+ 2 )+𝑉 𝑐 𝑘
𝑐𝑙 𝑠 𝑞
𝛼

√
− 𝐵+ √ 𝐵 +4 𝑔𝛼 𝐴
2

Condition of RTI: 𝑘<𝑘𝑐 2=

2𝐴

2
𝑉 𝑐 =¿ Compressional wave velocity

𝐴=ћ 2 / 12𝑚 𝑒 𝑚𝑖 𝐵=𝑐2𝑠 +𝑉 2𝑐 +ћ 2 𝛼 2 / 12𝑚 𝑒 𝑚𝑖

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 Dispersion relation and discussions:
ξ +4 η/ 3
Memory parameter: 𝜏 𝑚=
4
𝑛𝑖 𝑇 𝑖 0 [ 1− µ 𝑖 + 𝑈 ( Г 𝑖)]
15

Isothermal ion 𝑈 ( Г 𝑖 ) Г 𝑖 𝜕 𝑈 (Г 𝑖 )
compressibility factor: µ 𝑖=1+ +
3 9 𝜕 Г𝑖
𝑟𝑖 2
Internal Energy: 𝑈 ( Г 𝑖 ) = Г 𝑖 [− 0 . 9+1 .5 ( ) ]
𝑎𝑖
¿ −0 . 9 Г 𝑖

Compressional
wave velocity:
2
𝑉 =
𝑐
𝑇𝑖
𝑚𝑖 [
1 − µ𝑖 +
4
15
𝑈 ( Г𝑖 ) ] ¿
0 .16 𝑇 𝑖
𝑚𝑖
Г𝑖

1/ 3
3
𝑎 𝑖=( ) Weigner-Seitz radius
4 π 𝑛𝑖 0

P. Kaw and A. Sen, Phys. Plasmas 5, 3552 (1998).

V. M. Atrazhev and I. T. Iakubov, Phys. Plasmas 2, 2624 (1995).
14
 Application in white dwarfs:
White Dwarf Facts:
• late stage of stellar evolution
• no longer burning fuel - mainly C/O mixture
Sirius B
• collapse avoided by electron degeneracy
• very dense
• RT structures are prominent

The electrons and ions in a WD have interesting properties:

• electrons are very degenerate; they can be treated as a T=0 electron gas.
• the Fermi energy of the electrons are very high.
• the range of Coulomb coupling parameters for the ions is ~10-1000.

Typical parameters: white dwarfs:

J-s, kg, kg, m-3, eV, m-s-2, (for carbon).

L. F. Wang, B. L. Yang, W. H. Ye, and X. T. He, Phys. Plasmas 19, 072704

(2012).
J. Cao, H. Ren, Z. Wu, and P. K. Chu, Phys. Plasmas 15, 012110 (2008).
H. L. Lu and X. M. Qiu, Phys. Plasmas 18, 104508 (2011).
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 Application in white dwarfs:

 Compressibility strength and strong

correlation suppresses the RTI growth.

 The quantum stabilization is significant

under consideration m-1 when the
wavenumber m-1.

 The cut-off wavenumber shifts toward the

lower value with increase in
compressibility and coupling strength. Fig.2: The instability growth rate
against wavenumber is plotted with
different values of 70, 110 and 150.
 The cut-off wavenumber ranges from m-1
for these values of .

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 Application in white dwarfs:

Using the parameters for white dwarfs

with m-3 and m-1

𝜔 𝑝𝑖 ≃7 . 20 ⨯  10 15  sec − 1 𝑎 𝑖 ≃ 2. 88 ⨯   10−11   m

Г 𝑖 ≃ 82 µ 𝑖 ≃ − 32

𝑘crit ≃ 3 . 29 ⨯   10 3   m − 1 Growth   rate  of   RTI    ≃10 8 sec −1 

time  scale   𝒕 𝑹𝑻𝑰 ≃ 𝟗 .𝟐𝟏   ns

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 Application in white dwarfs:
Memory ξ +4 η/ 3 Dimensionless
parameter:
𝜏 𝑚=
0.16 𝑛 𝑖 𝑇 𝑖0 Г 𝑖 shear viscosity

∗ η
2
η 𝑐 𝑚𝑖 𝜔 𝑝𝑖 𝑎 Г 𝑖 η𝑖 = 2 ∝  Г 4𝑖 / 3
𝜏 𝑚=
𝑖 𝑚𝑖 𝜔𝑝𝑖 𝑛𝑖 𝑎 𝑖
0.12 𝑇 𝑖 0

Fig.3: (a) Viscoelastic relaxation time Vs strong correlation parameter () for different
background density, (b) Critical wavenumber against viscoelastic relaxation time for
different values of 70, 110 and 150, (c) Critical wavenumber against ion compressibility
factor for different values of 70, 110 and 150.

 Critical wavenumber of RTI is decreasing with increase in coupling parameter.

 Critical wavenumber is increasing with increase in viscoelastic relaxation time
rapidly first then remain nearly constant.
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 Concluding remarks:

 The quantum hydrodynamic model derived here is successfully used

to analyze RTI in astrophysical plasma.

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 Concluding remarks:

 The quantum hydrodynamic model derived here is successfully used

to analyze RTI in astrophysical plasma.
 The quantum Froude number (quantum correction) and strong
correlation have stabilizing effect on the growth of RTI .

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 Concluding remarks:

 The quantum hydrodynamic model derived here is successfully used

to analyze RTI in astrophysical plasma.
 The quantum Froude number (quantum correction) and strong
correlation have stabilizing effect on the growth of RTI .

 The compressibility effect further suppresses the RTI growth.

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 Concluding remarks:

 The quantum hydrodynamic model derived here is successfully used

to analyze RTI in astrophysical plasma.
 The quantum Froude number (quantum correction) and strong
correlation have stabilizing effect on the growth of RTI .

 The compressibility effect further suppresses the RTI growth.

 In the degenerate strongly coupled plasma RT structures are

propagating structure with velocity of quantum-shear (incompressible
SCQP) or quantum-compressional (compressible SCQP) internal
wave velocity. .

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 Concluding remarks:

 The quantum hydrodynamic model derived here is successfully used

to analyze RTI in astrophysical plasma.
 The quantum Froude number (quantum correction) and strong
correlation have stabilizing effect on the growth of RTI .

 The compressibility effect further suppresses the RTI growth.

 In the degenerate strongly coupled plasma RT structures are

propagating structure with velocity of quantum-shear (incompressible
SCQP) or quantum-compressional (compressible SCQP) internal
wave velocity. .
 If the propagation speed is high enough RTI is suppressed and we get
stable internal wave propagation.

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 Concluding remarks:

 The quantum hydrodynamic model derived here is successfully used

to analyze RTI in astrophysical plasma.
 The quantum Froude number (quantum correction) and strong
correlation have stabilizing effect on the growth of RTI .

 The compressibility effect further suppresses the RTI growth.

 In the degenerate strongly coupled plasma RT structures are

propagating structure with velocity of quantum-shear (incompressible
SCQP) or quantum-compressional (compressible SCQP) internal
wave velocity. .
 If the propagation speed is high enough RTI is suppressed and we get
stable internal wave propagation.

 The time scale to grow the RTI in white dwarfs is .

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 List of the published papers:
 
 
1. Effect of different dust flow velocities on combined Kelvin-Helmholtz
and Rayleigh-Taylor instabilities in Magnetized Incompressible Dusty
Fluids, Bivash Dolai, R. P. Prajapati, and R. K. Chhajlani, Physics of
Plasmas 23, 113704 (2016).
 
2. Rayleigh-Taylor instability and internal waves in strongly coupled
quantum plasma, Bivash Dolai and R. P. Prajapati, Physics of Plasmas 24,
112101 (2017).
 
3. The rotating Rayleigh-Taylor instability in a strongly coupled dusty
plasma, Bivash Dolai and R. P. Prajapati, Physics of Plasmas 25, 083708
(2018).
 
4. Small amplitude waves and linear firehose and mirror instabilities in
rotating polytropic quantum plasma, Surajit Bhakta, R. P. Prajapati and
Bivash Dolai, Physics of Plasmas 24, 082113 (2017).

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 Acknowledgement:

We are grateful to Dr. R. P. Prajapati and Prof. K. Avinash, for

fruitful discussions and giving a number of suggestions to
improve the work.

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Thank You.