Analytical linear theory for the interaction of a planar shock wave with a two- or three-dimensional random isotropic density field.

We present an analytical linear model describing the interaction of a planar shock wave with an isotropic random pattern of density nonuniformities. This kind of interaction is important in inertial confinement fusion where shocks travel into weakly inhomogeneous cryogenic deuterium-wicked foams, and also in astrophysics, where shocks interact with interstellar density clumps. The model presented here is based on the exact theory of space and time evolution of the perturbed quantities generated by a corrugated shock wave traveling into a small-amplitude single-mode density field. Corresponding averages in both two and three dimensions are obtained as closed analytical expressions for the turbulent kinetic energy, acoustic energy flux, density amplification, and vorticity generation downstream. They are given as explicit functions of the two parameters (adiabatic exponent γ and shock strength M(1)) that govern the dynamics of the problem. In addition, these explicit formulas are simplified in the important asymptotic limits of weak and strong shocks and highly compressible fluids.