Simultaneous velocity and density measurements of fully developed Rayleigh-Taylor mixing

The dynamics of molecular mixing and the energy transfer process in the Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) are studied through the collection of simultaneous velocity-density measurements using particle image velocimetry (PIV) and laser induced fluorescence (LIF). Statistically stationary experiments are performed in a convective-type gas tunnel facility which allows long experimental times and enables collection of statistically important turbulence data. The data and analyses presented in this paper are expected to help validate variable-density turbulence models and further our understanding of instability-driven flows.