Computer Science
Scientific paper
May 2005
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2005ncimc..28..459w&link_type=abstract
Il Nuovo Cimento C, vol. 28, Issue 3, p.459
Computer Science
Scientific paper
Linear theory of the Weibel instability cannot explain magnetic field generation in relativistic shock fronts in electron-proton plasmas. The fireball model for Gamma-ray Burst afterglows requires a magnetic field in similar shock fronts between the fireball and the surrounding matter to explain the detected non-thermal afterglow radiation. We consider an analytical model of pre-shock protons penetrating the hot post-shock electron plasma. The linear Weibel instability produces magnetic fields through self-enhancing current channels. Perturbations with a length-scale comparable to the electron skin depth reach the highest magnetic field before the linear theory breaks down. The electrons quench the linear proton instability so that it cannot randomize the proton velocity distribution and only converts a small fraction of the available kinetic energy of the protons into magnetic fields. We conclude that the linear Weibel instability that dominates in pair plasmas is relatively unimportant in electron-proton plasmas and that non-linear processes are probably much more important.
Achterberg Abraham
Wiersma Jorrit
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