Abstract: By direct numerical simulation, a supersonic boundary layer was studied to see whether the mechanism for the generation of sub-harmonic waves, similar to those for the incompressible flows, existed in the process of laminar-turbulent transition. The results showed that mechanisms of both resonant triad and secondary instability did exist. Discussions were made on whether these two mechanisms are really important in laminar-turbulent transition.

Key words: resonant triad, secondary instability, supersonic boundary layer, T-S wave