Double-layer shocks in a magnetized quantum plasma

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of double-layer electrostatic shocks in magnetized quantum plasmas, highlighting their dependence on quantum parameters and potential applications in particle acceleration and astrophysics.

Contribution

It introduces the existence of double-layer shocks in quantum magnetized plasmas and analyzes their dependence on quantum and plasma parameters.

Findings

Double-layer shocks depend on quantum coupling parameter H and positron-electron density ratio.

Shocks can steepen into solitary waves before reaching steady state.

Potential relevance for particle acceleration in laser-plasma interactions and white dwarf astrophysics.

Abstract

The formation of small but finite amplitude electrostatic shocks in the propagation of quantum ion-acoustic waves (QIAWs) obliquely to an external magnetic field is reported in a quantum electron-positron-ion (e-p-i) plasma. Such shocks are seen to have double-layer (DL) structures composed of the compressive and accompanying rarefactive slow-wave fronts. Existence of such DL shocks depends critically on the quantum coupling parameter $H$ associated with the Bohm potential and the positron to electron density ratio $\delta$. The profiles may, however, steepen initially and reach a steady state with a number of solitary waves in front of the shocks. Such novel DL shocks could be a good candidate for particle acceleration in intense laser-solid density plasma interaction experiments as well as in compact astrophysical objects, e.g., magnetized white dwarfs.