Self similar Spherical Compression Waves in Gas Dynamics

Abstract

A synopsis of different selfsimilar spherical compression waves is given pointing out their fundamental importance for the gas dynamics of inertial confinement fusion. Strong blast waves, various forms of isentropic compression waves, imploding shock waves and the solution for non-isentropic collapsing hollow spheres are included. A classification is given in terms of six singular points which characterise the different solutions and the relations between them. The presentation closely follows Guderley’s original work on imploding shock waves. © 1982, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.