Analytical studies of the dynamics of gaseous detonations

The dynamics of gaseous detonation is revisited on the basis of analytical studies. Problems of initiation, quenching, pulsation and cellular structures are addressed. The objective is to improve our physical understanding of the development, stability and structure of gaseous detonations. New insights that have been gained from analytical investigations are emphasized. Specific problems discussed are the direct initiation of detonations in spherical geometry, the spontaneous soft initiation and quenching of detonations in a temperature gradient, the stability threshold and dynamics of galloping detonations, and the multi-dimensional instability threshold and cellular structures of both overdriven and near-Chapman-Jouguet detonations. It will be seen that, although there have been many accomplishments, some outstanding questions remain.