Magnetic field evolution in relativistic unmagnetized collisionless shocks
Astrophysics
2009-06-23 v2 Plasma Physics
Space Physics
Abstract
We study relativistic unmagnetized collisionless shocks using unprecedentedly large particle-in-cell simulations of two-dimensional pair plasma. High energy particles accelerated by the shock are found to drive magnetic field evolution on a timescale >10^4 plasma times. Progressively stronger magnetic fields are generated on larger scales in a growing region around the shock. Shock-generated magnetic fields and accelerated particles carry >1% and >10% of the downstream energy flux, respectively. Our results suggest limits on the magnetization of relativistic astrophysical flows.
Cite
@article{arxiv.0802.3217,
title = {Magnetic field evolution in relativistic unmagnetized collisionless shocks},
author = {Uri Keshet and Boaz Katz and Anatoly Spitkovsky and Eli Waxman},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0802.3217},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
ApJ Letters, published (minor corrections, results unchanged)