3D modeling of collisionless shocks

TL;DR

This paper presents the first 3D model of a relativistic ion-electron collisionless shock, revealing significant differences from 2D models in shock conditions, electric fields, magnetic energy, and particle distributions.

Contribution

It introduces the first fully developed 3D relativistic shock model and compares it to 2D models, highlighting key differences in shock physics.

Findings

3D shocks show different jump conditions from 2D models.

Strong parallel electric fields develop at the shock interface.

Magnetic field energy is lower in 3D models.

Abstract

Two dimensional modeling of collisionless shocks has been of tremendous importance in understanding the physics of the non-linear evolution, momentum transfer and particle acceleration, but current computer capacities have now reached a point where three dimensional modeling is becoming feasible. We present the first three dimensional model of a fully developed and relaxed relativistic ion-electron shock, and analyze and compare it to similar 2D models. Quantitative and qualitative differences are found with respect to the two-dimensional models. The shock jump conditions are of course different, because of the extra degree of freedom, but in addition it is found that strong parallel electric fields develop at the shock interface, the level of magnetic field energy is lower, and the non-thermal particle distribution is shallower with a powerlaw index of ~2.2.