Evolution of magnetohydrodynamic waves and associated ultrarelativistic electron acceleration
- Department of Physics, Nagoya University, Nagoya 464-8602 (Japan)
The evolution of magnetosonic shock waves and Alfven waves generated by a strong disturbance and electron acceleration occurring in these waves is studied with fully kinetic, relativistic, electromagnetic, particle simulations. If two plasmas collide, magnetic field lines are compressed near the initial boundary of the two, resulting in the formation of a strong-magnetic-field pulse, which reflects ions of the two plasmas in two opposite directions. These ion motions create forward and backward shock waves. Furthermore, large-amplitude Alfven waves are produced, with their propagation speeds much lower than the shock speeds. In the Alfven wave region, three types of ultrarelativistic electron acceleration are observed, which are analyzed in detail.
- OSTI ID:
- 22043491
- Journal Information:
- Physics of Plasmas, Vol. 18, Issue 9; Other Information: (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1070-664X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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