The structure of weak shocks in quantum plasmas

TL;DR

This paper investigates the detailed structure of weak shocks in quantum plasmas, revealing how quantum effects and thermal conduction influence shock profiles and oscillations, with implications for plasma physics and astrophysics.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive analysis of weak shock structures in quantum plasmas considering both dissipation and dispersion, highlighting the impact of quantum effects on shock oscillations.

Findings

Quantum effects induce non-monotonic shock structures.

Small thermal conduction can produce stationary shocks.

Quantum terms amplify shock oscillations.

Abstract

The structure of a weak shock in a quantum plasma is studied, taking into account both dissipation terms due to thermal conduction and dispersive quantum terms due to the Bohm potential. Unlike quantum systems without dissipations, even a small thermal conduction may lead to a stationary shock structure. In the limit of zero quantum effects, the monotonic Burgers solution for the weak shock is recovered. Still, even small quantum terms make the structure non-monotonic with the shock driving a train of oscillations into the initial plasma. The oscillations propagate together with the shock. The oscillations become stronger as the role of Bohm potential increases in comparison with thermal conduction. The results could be of importance for laser-plasma interactions, such as inertial confinement fusion plasmas, and in astrophysical environments, as well as in condensed matter systems.