Tangential magnetic field induced structure in a thin layer of viscous magnetic fluid when developing Rayleigh-Taylor instability

In the framework of the small amplitude Rayleigh-Taylor instability model, one derives an equation describing an evolution of a free surface shape of a thin layer of a viscous magnetic fluid located on the lower side of a horizontal flat plate under a uniform tangential magnetic field. The analytical expressions for a velocity held and a time-dependent pressure perturbation in the fluid layer are obtained. The influence of the magnetic field upon the Rayleigh-Taylor instability is examined. Obtained theoretical results are compared with the experimental observations of the final stage of the disintegration of the layer. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.