Linear motion of multiple superposed viscous fluids

In this paper the small-amplitude motion of multiple superposed viscous fluids is studied as a linearized initial-value problem. The analysis results in a closed set of equations for the Laplace transformed amplitudes of the interfaces that can be inverted numerically. The derived equations also contain the general normal mode equations, which can be used to determine the asymptotic growth rates of the systems directly. After derivation, the equations are used to study two different problems involving three fluid layers. The first problem is the effect of initial phase difference on the development of a Rayleigh-Taylor instability and the second is the damping effect of a thin, highly viscous, surface layer.