Collision-free shock waves
- ed.
ABS>From International symposium on dynamics of ionized gases; 13 Sep 1971). See CONF-710921-. Theoretical treatments of collision-free shock waves in a plasma are reviewed. The dispersion does not dissipate in collisional shocks, but plays an essential role in the formation of shock waves in a collision-free plasma. A solution of a solitary wave is derived for cold collision-free plasma flow along a magnetic ficld. This solution is unstable because of perturbations. Instead of a solitary wave, a solution with a quasi- shock wave can be derived if one takes the thermal effect into account. Among collision-free shock waves, electrostatic waves are most easily analyzed. In a steady frame, a solution of a laminar quasishock is derived for isothermal high- temperature electrons and two-cold-beam ions. This steady solution is unstable too. Timedependent numerical solutions with finite-amplitude electrostatic waves based on the Vlasov-Maxwell equations show the formation of quasi-shock-like waves. In the case of collision-free shock waves in a magnetic field, there are various types of instabilities that cause the onset of shock waves. Then it is necessary to show the buildup of the unstable perturbations against nonlinear turbulence through wave-particle or wave--wave interactions. Usually diffusion- type equations derived through quasi-linear approximations of the Vlasov-Maxwell equations are used for these processes. On the other hand, there is also a test for deriving shock-like solutions from the Vlasov equations themselves without change to the parabolic type for a collision-free plasma flow perpendicular to a magnetic field. Numerical calculations show that the electric potential forms a sharp peak in the flow where the ion has a double-humped velocity distribution. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Tokyo Inst. of Tech.
- NSA Number:
- NSA-29-001917
- OSTI ID:
- 4413950
- Country of Publication:
- Country unknown/Code not available
- Language:
- English
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