 Relaxation of a symmetric viscous layer

A layer of half-thickness $h_0$, dynamic viscosity $\mu$ and density $\rho$, between semi-infinite fluids of viscosity $\lambda \mu$ and densities $\rho \mp \Delta \rho$, relaxes a symmetric thickness Fourier mode. In the plug-like extensional viscosity regime, mass conservation and $4\mu (h{u}_x{)}_x=h\Delta \rho g{h}_x-{\sigma }_{xz}^{+}$ together with the Fourier traction map for a viscous half-space give the displayed rate, where $\kappa =|k|h_0$. Inner longitudinal extension dominates for $\lambda \ll \kappa$; outer tangential resistance dominates for $\kappa \ll \lambda$ while the plug approximation remains valid.