The effect of dust particle mass disparity on Rayleigh-Taylor instability in magnetized dusty plasmas

College of Physics and Electronic Engineering, Northwest Normal University - Lanzhou 730070, PRC

Received: 20 September 2025
Accepted: 15 October 2025

Abstract

The Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) is a classical phenomenon in plasma physics and fluid dynamics, characterized by the interpenetration of two fluids with different densities under the gravitational or other external forces. In dusty plasmas, an external magnetic field introduces additional complexity to RTI, affecting both dust particle dynamics and overall plasma behavior. This study investigates the evolution of RTI in dusty plasmas under magnetic fields, using a combination of theoretical analysis and mathematical derivation. We explore the influence of dust particle mass, number density, and magnetic field strength on the RTI growth rate. Specific expressions for RTI behavior in magnetized dusty plasmas are derived, offering new insights into the magnetohydrodynamic properties of such systems. The results reveal the potential for controlling RTI through adjustments in plasma parameters, which contributes to the understanding and stabilization of plasma systems in both laboratory and astrophysical contexts.