Absolute, convective, and global instability of a magnetic liquid jet

Abstract

An infinite or semi-infinite jet of non-conductive magnetic liquid in a uniform longitudinal magnetic field can be absolutely or convectively unstable for different values of the flow parameters. Though the higher field inhibits the absolute instability, this inhibition is maximum at some field intensity. A critical value of the surface tension exists, above which the instability is absolute for any intensity of the field. If the jet has a large but finite length and proper boundary conditions are held at its beginning and end, it is always globally unstable. The unstable global mode is based on a pair of waves that propagate in opposite directions and reflect from one into the other at the flow boundaries.