Mechanism of hysteresis in shock wave reflection

This paper reports on the mechanism of hysteresis in transition between regular and Mach shock wave reflections. We disclose that, for a given inflow number, stable reflection configuration should maintain minimal dissipation. As wedge angle varies, set dissipation points forms valley lines landscape, these compose loop. The saddle-nodes, intersections ridge line, are actually points. Additionally, predicted configurations agree well with experimental numerical results, validating this theory.