Revisit of the oblique-breakdown regime in supersonic boundary layers and mechanism of the extra amplification of streak modes

In the low-Mach-number supersonic boundary layers, the oblique-breakdown regime may be the most efficient route to trigger the laminar-turbulent transition, because the most unstable Mack first mode always appears as an oblique wave. In this paper, we revisit this issue by use of the nonlinear parabolized stability equation (NPSE) approach and particularly focus on the extra amplification of the streak mode generated by the direct interaction of the introduced oblique modes. This mechanism is then well explained based on the weakly nonlinear analysis, and its predictions on the evolution of the streak mode and the two-dimensional traveling-wave mode are quantitatively confirmed by the NPSE calculations. Additionally, the important role of the streak mode, leading to the secondary instability, on triggering the transition onset is identified. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

In this paper, the authors investigate the oblique-breakdown regime in low-Mach-number supersonic boundary layers, specifically focusing on the additional amplification of the streak mode generated by the direct interaction of the introduced oblique modes. Through weakly nonlinear analysis and quantitative NPSE calculations, the mechanism behind this phenomenon is well explained. The important role of the streak mode in triggering the transition onset is also identified.