On the reformation at perpendicular shocks

Physics – Plasma Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

[7827] Space Plasma Physics / Kinetic And Mhd Theory, [7829] Space Plasma Physics / Kinetic Waves And Instabilities, [7836] Space Plasma Physics / Mhd Waves And Instabilities, [7851] Space Plasma Physics / Shock Waves

Scientific paper

A full particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation study is carried out on the reformation at perpendicular collisionless shocks with a relatively low Alfven Mach number (Ma = 5). Previous self-consistent one-dimensional (1-D) hybrid and full PIC simulations have demonstrated that ion kinetics are essential for the non-stationarity of perpendicular collisionless shocks. These results showed that reflection of ions at the shock front is responsible for the periodic collapse and redevelopment of a new shock front on a timescale of the ion cyclotron period, which is called the shock reformation. Recent 2-D hybrid and full PIC simulations, however, suggested that the shock reformation does not take place at exactly-perpendicular shocks. By contrast, another 2-D hybrid PIC simulation showed that the shock reformation persists at quasi-perpendicular shocks. Although these two works seem to be inconsistent with each other, the reason is not well understood because of several differences in numerical simulation conditions. In the present study, we found that the time development of the shock magnetic field averaged over the shock-tangential direction shows the transition from the reformation to no-reformation phase. On the other hand, local shock magnetic field shows the evident appearance and disappearance of the shock front, and the period becomes longer in the no-reformation phase than in the reformation phase. The competition between the reformation and microinstabilities at the shock front will be discussed.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

On the reformation at perpendicular shocks does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with On the reformation at perpendicular shocks, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the reformation at perpendicular shocks will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1890218

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.