Interstellar electron density fluctuations due to cosmic-ray acceleration at supernova remnant shock waves

Conference · Tue Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · AIP Conf. Proc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6592421

Max, C E; Zachary, A; Arons, J

We have performed computer simulations to investigate whether sizeable electron density fluctuations might be produced in the process of cosmic-ray acceleration at supernova remnant shock waves. The hypothesis is the following: Cosmic-ray acceleration via a Fermi I mechanism leads to large-amplitude Alfven waves upstream of a supernova remnant shock wave. If the Alfven waves reach a large enough amplitude, they can drive sound waves in the interstellar medium. The fluctuations in the electron density due to these sound waves will then contribute to the observed interstellar scintillation. Our simulations suggest that this mechanism may be a plausible one. Issues remaining to be addressed include the resulting filling factor, and the integrated strength C/sup 2//sub n/ to be expected for the turbulence.

• Research Organization: Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550
• OSTI ID: 6592421
• Report Number(s): CONF-880191-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AIP Conf. Proc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 174:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640101* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmic Radiation
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
ALFVEN WAVES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
COSMIC RADIATION
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTRON DENSITY
FLUCTUATIONS
HYDROMAGNETIC WAVES
INTERSTELLAR SPACE
IONIZING RADIATIONS
RADIATIONS
SHOCK WAVES
SIMULATION
SOUND WAVES
SPACE
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
VARIATIONS