Magnetohydrodynamic shock refraction at an inclined density interface

TL;DR

This paper investigates the complex behavior of magnetohydrodynamic shock waves refraction at inclined density interfaces, revealing how magnetic field orientation and interface angle influence wave structures and transition from regular to irregular refraction.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed numerical analysis of MHD shock refraction, including the effects of magnetic field direction and interface inclination, and identifies conditions leading to regular and irregular refraction patterns.

Findings

Magnetic field orientation significantly affects wave structures.

Transition from regular to irregular refraction depends on interface angle.

Mach stem formation observed in irregular MHD shock refraction.

Abstract

Shock wave refraction at a sharp density interface is a classical problem in hydrodynamics. Presently, we investigate the strongly planar refraction of a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shock wave at an inclined density interface. A magnetic field is applied that is initially oriented either perpendicular and parallel to the motion of incident shock. We explore flow structure by varying the magnitude of the magnetic field governed by the non-dimensional parameter $\beta \in (0.5, 10^6)$ and the inclination angle of density interface $\alpha \in (0.30, 1.52)$. The regular MHD shock refraction process results in a pair of outer fast shocks (reflected and transmitted) and a set of inner nonlinear magneto-sonic waves. By varying magnetic field (strength and direction) and inclination interface angle, the latter waves can be slow shocks, slow expansion fans, intermediate shocks or slow-mode compound waves. For a chosen incident shock strength, and density ratio, the MHD shock refraction transitions from regular (all nonlinear waves meeting at a single point) into irregular when the inclined density interface angle is less than a critical value. Since the MHD shock refraction is self-similar, we further explore by converting the initial value problem (IVP) into a boundary value problem (BVP) by a self-similar coordinate transformation. The self-similar solution to the BVP is numerically solved using an iterative method and implemented using the p4est adaptive mesh framework. The simulation shows that a Mach stem occurs in irregular MHD shock refraction, the flow structure can be an MHD equivalent to a single Mach reflexion irregular refraction $MRR$ and convex-forwards irregular refraction $CFR$ that occur in the hydrodynamic case.