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arxiv: 0802.3217 · v2 · submitted 2008-02-22 · 🌌 astro-ph · physics.plasm-ph· physics.space-ph

Magnetic field evolution in relativistic unmagnetized collisionless shocks

classification 🌌 astro-ph physics.plasm-phphysics.space-ph
keywords magneticrelativisticacceleratedcollisionlessenergyevolutionfieldfields
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We study relativistic unmagnetized collisionless shocks using unprecedentedly large particle-in-cell simulations of two-dimensional pair plasma. High energy particles accelerated by the shock are found to drive magnetic field evolution on a timescale >10^4 plasma times. Progressively stronger magnetic fields are generated on larger scales in a growing region around the shock. Shock-generated magnetic fields and accelerated particles carry >1% and >10% of the downstream energy flux, respectively. Our results suggest limits on the magnetization of relativistic astrophysical flows.

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