Uniformly-valid asymptotic solutions to the Orr-Sommerfeld equation using multiple scales (Q1098702)

The hydrodynamic stability theory for parallel flows is governed by Orr- Sommerfeld equation with appropriate boundary conditions. The author has studied this equation using the method of multiple scales. The leading- order uniformly valid solutions are obtained without recourse to heuristic methods for two different types of velocity profiles: i) arbitrary velocity profiles without inflexion or critical points and ii) profiles with simultaneous inflexion and critical points. These solutions are shown to reproduce the previous results for the inner and outer regions. This method may be extended to non-parallel flows.